Fresh from his best weekend so far this season, Gordon Shedden will return to Oulton Park – scene of his maiden win in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – on 24 June and hopes it’s where he’ll produce his first victory of 2007 as well.
The Scot was in sensational form at Croft ten days ago, giving Team Halfords’ still-developing Honda Civic its first pole position before racing to second place in race one. He then led race two before steering problems intervened. In race three, he came through from near the back of the grid, overtaking team-mate and reigning champion Matt Neal to finish a stunning fourth.
A rotten opening three meetings mean Shedden is still down in tenth in the championship, but at least he will again go into Oulton’s qualifying session carrying no success ballast in his car.
“I really enjoy Oulton,” said Shedden. “It’s one of the old school type of circuits like my home track of Knockhill in Scotland. You could never draw it from scratch on a blank piece of paper and expect to get permission to build it in this day and age.
“It’s got plenty of undulations and many different kinds of corner which require a very good chassis – similar to Croft where our car was also very strong, so I hope we can repeat that form.
“But the BMWs and Vauxhalls probably have slightly stronger engines so up the two hills out of the Island hairpin and Knickerbook chicane they might be able to stretch their legs a bit over ourselves and the SEATs. It’s going to be very tight.
“Just look at Croft – three different cars in the top three in qualifying covered by a tenth of a second. Not having ballast is an advantage in qualifying and it’s always important to be starting near the front, but at least at Oulton there are a few more opportunities to pass. I’m sure it’s going to be wide open.”
Shedden accedes that he’s not going to become BTCC champion in 2007, but still remains positive about the remainder of the season.
He added: “There’s no way I’m going to win it. That went a long time ago. What I’m really looking for now is a strong second half of the season. When you look at how our car has changed since the opening rounds at Brands Hatch it’s quite comical.
“Croft was genuinely the first time this year, I felt, that Matt and I both had cars which we could get in and drive hard from the off. We are still developing it and maybe our development plan will actually overtake the others.
“What I really need is to start finishing all three races on race day which has not happened so far and is a problem. I’m full of confidence. I just need to turn all that potential into points.”
Ticket & Timetable Information
The track action at Oulton on 24 June begins at midday with the first of three BTCC rounds. However, the public is advised to get there early for the popular Pit Lane Walkabout session when the crowds are invited into the pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs and giveaways. In addition there will be another six races on the Sunday bill, featuring the supporting BMW, Porsche, SEAT and Renault championships.
Race day adult ticket prices are still just £21 if purchased online at http://www.oultonpark.co.uk/ or £22 if bought by calling 0870 950 9000 before midday on Tuesday 19 June. Admission for children aged 12 and under is FREE, making this a great day of entertainment for the family.
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Gordon Shedden is hoping he can repeat his race win of 2006 at Oulton Park when the BTCC visits the spectacular Cheshire circuit on 24 June
