Andrew Jordan won his second race of the day at Thruxton after leading Round 8 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship from start to finish
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The BMW Pirtek Racing man made a steady getaway from pole position and never really looked back, despite being kept honest by BMW stable-mate Colin Turkington throughout the 16 laps.
“That was tricky with the weight on-board,” said Jordan. “It was good I had Colin (Turkington) behind, so I could really drive to a pace. Then it started drizzling and I was just saying ‘please hold off!’. I felt like the guinea pig and there were some big flies about and a bit of oil making it a bit difficult to see.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done a race one and two double. We’re on form. We’re a good team with a good car and good drivers. We came out of the blocks really well and the car felt similar here.”
Turkington sliced past the Hondas of Dan Cammish and Sam Tordoff on the opening lap and was untroubled from behind thereafter, although the final place on the podium was initially unclear.
“It’s much easier when you know who’s in front and what they’re doing and what they’re going to do,” said Turkington. “That was my 400th race as well so it’s nice to sound that out with a podium as well as the BMW one-two. We improved things for that race. It looks easy out front but it’s not. The pressure’s on. It’s been great work from everybody between here and Donington Park.”
Cammish would eventually reach the rostrum as Tordoff’s Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Honda struggled on near maximum weight.
“I’m just trying to be a little bit careful at the moment,” confirmed Cammish. “I got pinged for track limits which saw me on a final warning and I didn’t want to fall foul of it. You can’t beat physics! I’m trying my best, I really am. The BMWs are so strong off the line but I’m really happy with third. This weekend’s been such an improvement on the first two this season.”
BTCC legends Jason Plato and Matt Neal would also get the better of the fading Tordoff late on as the multiple champions enjoyed a rare tussle on-track.
The AmD-run Hondas of Tordoff and Rory Butcher were covered by just 0.369s at the chequered flag, whilst the Team Toyota GB with Ginsters Corolla of Tom Ingram came home eighth.
Rob Collard made it two Vauxhalls in the top ten, whilst BTC Racing Josh Cook edged out good friend Ash Sutton to take tenth. Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Sutton was rewarded, however, when former McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh picked #11 in the reverse grid draw meaning the 2017 champion will start today’s final race from pole position.
2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 8 – Thruxton Circuit
1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing 16 laps
2 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.613s
3 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.696s
4 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +2.949s
5 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +3.325s
6 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +4.718s
7 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +5.087s
8 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +6.139s
9 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +7.593s
10 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +8.268s
11 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +8.614s
12 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +9.708s
13 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +12.913s
14 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +13.870s
15 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +14.208s
16 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +20.099s
17 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +20.351s
18 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +21.441s
19 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +22.807s
20 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +23.223s
21 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +29.874s
22 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +30.171s
23 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +34.266s
24 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +38.786s
25 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +38.974s
26 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +45.575s
27 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +48.487s
28 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with Motorbase +2 laps
29 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +5 laps
30 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +14 laps
