Shedden leads Scots BTCC assaultposted in BTCC26 | 03 | 2014

    FORMER CHAMP GORDON SHEDDEN will lead the four-man Scottish assault on this year's British Touring Car Championship at this weekend's opening round at Brands Hatch.

    The 35-year-old from Dalgety Bay, who won the title in 2012, has ditched his Honda Civic hatchback, for an all-new Civic estate.

    "Yeh, it's definitely going to stand out from the rest of the field on the 31-car grid," Shedden (pictured), who is one of a recordbreaking seven former BTCC champions to line up this year, smiled today.

    "But we've all worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the winter to to make sure we've replicated the heartbeat of the Civic hatchback.

    "I know there are a few guys in the paddock who have had a quiet laugh about the fact that in their eyes we're driving an estate car, but I'm confident we can wipe the smile off their faces."

    And Shedden, who will again be partnered in the Honda team by triple BTCC champ Matt Neal, is determined to go one step better than last year.

    "Missing out on the championship by just seven points in the final meeting at the end of last year was difficult to take, especially knowing how terrific it felt to have won it in 2012," the Fifer, who has won 37 BTCC races, six last year, continued.

    Related: Battler Gordon Shedden just misses out

    "I'm determined to win the title again this year. Winning the championship in 2012 was the best feeling of my career so far, and having experienced it once, I really want it again.

    "I know it's going to be tough. Apart from Matt, there are another five former champions on the grid this year, so that's going to make it exceedingly tough.

    "But I'm up for the challenge. Winning the title two years ago was brilliant, but winning it again with the strength of field we have this season would be even better."

    Shedden will be joined on the 1.2-mile Indy circuit at the Kent circuit by Inverness-based Dave Newsham, who this year has switched to a Ford Focus.

    Two other Scots will be making their full-time debuts in the BTCC championship.

    Aberdeen 23-year-old Glynn Geddie will make his first appearance in his new Toyota Avensis in Sunday's season-opening triple-header.

    And 17-year-old Aiden Moffat, who last August became the youngest-ever driver to compete in the BTCC, will debut his new Chevrolet Cruze.

    Related: Gordon Shedden gets Civic estate for 2014

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    Jim McGill

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