Jordan set for high-speed Thruxton challenge

Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing will switch their focus to the Thruxton circuit in Hampshire this weekend (28/29 April) for rounds seven, eight and nine of the 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The high-speed Hampshire track is the fastest on the calendar and regularly delivers spectacular race action and intense competition. Thruxton’s notoriously abrasive surface is incredibly tough on tyres and for the front-wheel drive touring cars the series of never-ending fast right-hand corners puts an intense strain on front left tyres. For the leading drivers, the Thruxton weekend is all about tyre management, particularly if the ambient temperatures are warm.

After a superb opening weekend at Brands Hatch when he scored two seconds and a sixth place in his Honda Civic, followed by three top six finishes at Donington Park, Andrew is right in the overall title hunt and is determined to be back on the podium at Thruxton.

“Thruxton will be a strong circuit for us,” said Andrew. “I always go well at Thruxton and the NGTC cars should go pretty well there. We’re down a bit on straight-line speed to where we want to be and that might affect us, but I think we’ll be pretty strong.”

Andrew heads to the Hampshire track lying third in the overall points, only headed by the big two names in the BTCC: Jason Plato and Matt Neal. Thruxton is famous for throwing up unpredictable races and both Neal and Plato will be under pressure as the title battle develops. Just eight points cover the top three after six races, so it really is wide open.

It has also been a very strong start to the season for Jeff Smith in the other Pirtek Racing entry and he currently lies seventh on the overall standings. After six of the season’s 30 races, Pirtek Racing is second the HiQ Team Championship and leads the Independents’ Team Trophy, while and Andrew is top of the Independents’ Trophy with Jeff in fourth.

After qualifying on Saturday 28 April at 15.20, the first of three BTCC races will be at 11.35 on Sunday, with race two at 14.20 and race three at 17.15. All three races will be broadcast live on ITV4 in a programme starting at 11.00. Qualifying will be broadcast live at itv.com and live results from the weekend will be available at tsl-timing.com


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