Stunning pace and race-winning potential combined with two punctures to make for a frustrating day for Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing as the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship kicked off at Brands Hatch (Kent) over the weekend (2/3 April).
The Pirtek Racing team was right in the heart of the action all weekend, with Andrew qualifying second fastest and racing in the top five in the opening race before debris on the track damaged a front tyre. That left him 16th on the grid for race two, but he scythed through the field to finish sixth. Then, in the third race he was poised to attack race leader Matt Neal when another puncture wrecked his bid for glory. However, Andrew had put down a clear marker; the Pirtek Racing Vauxhall Vectra is a true challenger while team mate Jeff Smith had a massively successful BTCC debut to be one of the best series newcomers, taking a best result of ninth place.
“All the hard work we’ve done over the winter has paid off and we’ve shown a great deal of promise,” said Andrew at the end of the day, despite the frustration of knowing that he was ready to challenge for victory in the third race. “We’ve shown a lot of pace and we’ll be strong at Donington.”
The speed of the Pirtek car was clear to see in qualifying when Andrew posted second on the grid to sit between BTCC giants Matt Neal and Jason Plato. The action started immediately in race one when the Neal, Jordan and Plato raced three-abreast at the first corner. Andrew then lost out further around the lap as Neal was sent wide and into a gravel trap and the Pirtek car was delayed, but Andrew was soon back to fifth and chasing the leaders when the first puncture hit.
Andrew’s charge from 16th to sixth in race two was one of the drives of the day and the reverse grid draw left him second to Neal on the grid for the third race. Immediately, Neal and Jordan edged clear of the pack and Andrew was planning his attack for the lead when the second puncture struck and wrecked his plans. “I think I had Matt’s number. I was saving my tyres and had the pace on him. That is so disappointing,” said Andrew as he battled to contain his clear frustration. But the message was clear; Pirtek Racing and Andrew Jordan are ready to challenge the very best in the BTCC
