Honda Yuasa Racing’s Gordon Shedden has been crowned the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion after producing a sensational drive in the final race of a dramatic season.
Title rival Jason Plato surged into the race lead after Matt Neal’s Honda slid wide at Paddock Hill Bend on the opening tour, which meant Shedden had to finish in at least sixth position to claim the title.
The odds seemed stacked against the Scotsman, who started the race down in 19th position, but the Civic Type R driver went on a relentless attack that would prove fruitful after 18 laps of nerve wracking action that played out in front of a record 42,000 crowd.
Three safety car periods curtailed Plato’s getaway in the early stages, and also gave Shedden the chance to close in on his next target. Plato’s Team BMR RCIB Insurance team-mate Alain Menu did everything he could to hold up Shedden’s charge as the pair made contact on a number of occasions. A puncture for Menu’s VW unleashed Shedden, who then produced startling move after startling move.
He dismissed Sam Tordoff’s BMW with consummate ease to make it into the top ten, before carving his way by Andrew Jordan’s MG and Andy Priaulx’s BMW on lap ten.
Next up was Aron Smith VW with the Irishman keen to assist stablemate Plato. Shedden lined him up as the duo approached Clearways on lap 12 and when the VW ran slightly wide on the exit of the corner the Honda slipped down the inside. They ran side-by-side across the line with the roar from the crowd almost as deafening as the 30 flame-spitting BTCC machine performing in front of them. Shedden was through and now just needed one more place to clinch the honours.
That move came one tour later as Rob Collard’s BMW proved defenceless against Shedden’s Honda, and he took another place in the shape of Adam Morgan’s WIX Racing Mercedes on the run up to Druids. An uncertain Shedden remained on the attack, however, and became embroiled in a further dispute for position with Jack Goff’s MG. Matt Neal eased Shedden’s concern by slipping back to hand him fourth place and Shedden eventually settled on his position.
Plato flawless display deserved victory as he crossed the line ahead of Mat Jackson’s Ford Focus and MG Triple Eight Racing’s Goff. He was unlucky that his 94th BTCC victory was unable to bring him his third title, but few could argue with Shedden’s performance in this race and throughout this unforgettable season.
The Honda Yuasa Racing crew lined the pitwall and the crowd rose on its feet as Shedden blasted across the line, seemingly in joyful tears, and our new 2015 BTCC champion was crowned.
Neal took fifth ahead of Morgan and Collard. Jordan, Smith and Priaulx completed the top ten order.
Shedden eventually won the title by four points from Plato, with Neal beating Turkington to third in the order. There was some joy for outgoing champion Turkington who claimed the Independents’ Drivers championship, whilst Team BMR RCIB Insurance took Teams’ and Independents’ Teams honours. Honda Yuasa Racing enjoyed double delight as it wrestled back the Manufacturers’ title from MG. Josh Cook’s first season in the BTCC with Power Maxed Racing proved a fantastic success as he won the Jack Sears Trophy.
