Jordan set for tough weekend in BTCC at Knockhill

Andrew Jordan says that the Pirtek Racing team faces a tough challenge when the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship heads north of the border to Knockhill (24/25 August) for the annual race weekend at the spectacular Scottish track.The visit to the three-dimensional Knockhill track near Dunfermline makes up rounds 19, 20 and 21 as the championship enters the final third and a typically all-action run in to the 2013 title. However, life is going to be even tougher than usual for Andrew as he will have to take a six-place grid penalty after qualifying: the result of receiving three reprimands over on-track issues this season. Added to the penalty weight his Honda Civic will carry in Scotland, it could mean a long, tough day on Sunday at a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult. After a fabulous 2013 season to date for Pirtek Racing, Andrew is firmly in the battle for the overall title, holding second place just nine points behind leader Matt Neal. Former champions Gordon Shedden, Colin Turkington and Jason Plato are next up, so Andrew is right in among the biggest names in the BTCC.Andrews team mate Jeff Smith holds ninth overall in the driver standings, while Pirtek Racing holds third in the HiQ Teams Championship and has a very healthy 39-point overall lead in the Independents Team Trophy. Meanwhile, Andrew leads the Independents Trophy by 34 points with Jeff holding joint fourth in the Pirtek Racing Honda Civics.We need to qualify as high as possible as I really want to start in the top 10 for the first race, said Andrew. However, the weight will hurt us in qualifying. We clearly need to make progress from where we start, given the grid penalty. The racing at Knockhill is always close and if we could get three top six finishes, that would be a great result. I need to get some good points, but stay out of trouble as well. Plus, the weather is often another factor at Knockhill.After qualifying on Saturday 24 August at 15.05, the first of three BTCC races will be at 11.45 on Sunday, with race two at 14.15 and race three at 17.05. All three races will be broadcast live on ITV4. Qualifying will be broadcast live at itv.com and live results from the weekend will be available at www.tsl-timing.com

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