![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/6964411.jpg?299)
This weekend the BTCC visited the unique challenges of Rockingham, with its oval banking giving it the longest run down to the 1st corner of all the circuits the BTCC visits.
As Tim Harvey said in commentary, the contrast between this weekend and last time out at Knockhill couldn't be bigger in terms of the circuits. Rockingham being wide, fast and flowing with Knockhill being short, twisty and undualating.
Here are a bunch of headlines we can take into the 3 week break before the penultimate meeting at Silverstone.
As Tim Harvey said in commentary, the contrast between this weekend and last time out at Knockhill couldn't be bigger in terms of the circuits. Rockingham being wide, fast and flowing with Knockhill being short, twisty and undualating.
Here are a bunch of headlines we can take into the 3 week break before the penultimate meeting at Silverstone.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/9372029.jpg?243)
TURKINGTON IS SEEMINGLY UNSTOPPABLE
I've said it a lot since I started writing for The Grid, and we've all observed the great season Colin Turkington has had, but this weekend at Rockingham firmly marked his championship credentials.
It seems surprising to think that Turkington hadn't won a round of the BTCC since Croft in June. The reason he has such a great championship buffer is he is at the front every weekend, and when others slip he's always there to pounce.
Two victories to bring his tally up to 8 for the season have further extending his already healthy championship lead. The Northern Irishman had never won around Rockingham in the BTCC prior to this weekend but he firmly shut that ghost in the cupboard. A fourth place in race 3 cemented his nigh on perfect weekend and all this means he has doubled his championship lead after a torrid weekend for Gordon Shedden.
I've said it a lot since I started writing for The Grid, and we've all observed the great season Colin Turkington has had, but this weekend at Rockingham firmly marked his championship credentials.
It seems surprising to think that Turkington hadn't won a round of the BTCC since Croft in June. The reason he has such a great championship buffer is he is at the front every weekend, and when others slip he's always there to pounce.
Two victories to bring his tally up to 8 for the season have further extending his already healthy championship lead. The Northern Irishman had never won around Rockingham in the BTCC prior to this weekend but he firmly shut that ghost in the cupboard. A fourth place in race 3 cemented his nigh on perfect weekend and all this means he has doubled his championship lead after a torrid weekend for Gordon Shedden.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/1255520.jpg?348)
There will still be arguments over whether his RWD BMW has an advantage over the rest but don't take any of this away from Turkington. If the 125i was so superior, why isn't Rob Collard or Nick Foster challenging for the title?
All that aside, it looks very much like Colin Turkington will be the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion.
All that aside, it looks very much like Colin Turkington will be the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion.
HONDAS OFF THE PACE
None of the 3 front running Honda Civics stole the limelight this weekend, with Andrew Jordan displaying the best performance for the marque.
None of the 3 front running Honda Civics stole the limelight this weekend, with Andrew Jordan displaying the best performance for the marque.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/7088386.jpg?284)
Even so, Andrew didn't exactly have a barnstorming weekend either.
The defending champion was carrying very little in the way of success ballast, but he was just not on the pace of the front runners at any point during the weekend, although he did enjoy a good run to 4th in race 2 on the soft tyres. The relief was clear to see when he got his 1st podium finish in 3rd of the second half of the campaign in race 3. There's something about the Honda package and particularly the Pirtek one that isn't clicking. Comparing his recent performances to his domiant ones at Brands Hatch Indy and Thruxton is shocking if you're a fan or a member of the team. There's something missing, that extra little edge has disappeared. True, Jordan hasn't had all the best luck but the problems run deeper than that.
What of the Honda Yuasa Racing boys?
The defending champion was carrying very little in the way of success ballast, but he was just not on the pace of the front runners at any point during the weekend, although he did enjoy a good run to 4th in race 2 on the soft tyres. The relief was clear to see when he got his 1st podium finish in 3rd of the second half of the campaign in race 3. There's something about the Honda package and particularly the Pirtek one that isn't clicking. Comparing his recent performances to his domiant ones at Brands Hatch Indy and Thruxton is shocking if you're a fan or a member of the team. There's something missing, that extra little edge has disappeared. True, Jordan hasn't had all the best luck but the problems run deeper than that.
What of the Honda Yuasa Racing boys?
Matt Neal had another disappointing weekend, highlighting the problems Honda are suffering and it's becoming all to a familiar story for Neal.
Even in Shedden's hands, the car hasn't been desperately quick. Gordon has built his campaign on being solid and consistent. He leaves Rockingham well behind Turkington and behind Jason Plato who had a strong weekend due to his first non score of the year. Damaged steering after being caught up in an accident between Marc Hynes and Hunter Abbott have now made Gordon the outsider to clinch the title.
It's rare to see them struggle after seeing Hondas win the championship for the last 3 years
Even in Shedden's hands, the car hasn't been desperately quick. Gordon has built his campaign on being solid and consistent. He leaves Rockingham well behind Turkington and behind Jason Plato who had a strong weekend due to his first non score of the year. Damaged steering after being caught up in an accident between Marc Hynes and Hunter Abbott have now made Gordon the outsider to clinch the title.
It's rare to see them struggle after seeing Hondas win the championship for the last 3 years
MG/Triple Eight jump Honda/Dynamics
The MG boys Plato and Tordoff had a great day though may have not been quite good enough for Plato. Finishing 3rd in race 1, 2nd in race 2 and could only manage 7th in race 3.Saying that Jason has jumped Shedden in the championship standings in to 2nd behind Colin. Tordoff had one of the best weekends of 2014 sticking it on pole in the Qualifying on Saturday with a impressive 1:22.471 almost half a second ahead of Colin. On Sunday there was no stopping Colin off the line he was instantly past Tordoff, Sam had to settle for the 2nd spot in race 1, He took 3rd in race 2 behind team mate Plato and as in race 2 right behind team mate Plato in 8th. And just like Plato has jumped Shedden MG/Triple Eight have jumped Honda/Dynamics in the Manufacture-Constructors championship
The MG boys Plato and Tordoff had a great day though may have not been quite good enough for Plato. Finishing 3rd in race 1, 2nd in race 2 and could only manage 7th in race 3.Saying that Jason has jumped Shedden in the championship standings in to 2nd behind Colin. Tordoff had one of the best weekends of 2014 sticking it on pole in the Qualifying on Saturday with a impressive 1:22.471 almost half a second ahead of Colin. On Sunday there was no stopping Colin off the line he was instantly past Tordoff, Sam had to settle for the 2nd spot in race 1, He took 3rd in race 2 behind team mate Plato and as in race 2 right behind team mate Plato in 8th. And just like Plato has jumped Shedden MG/Triple Eight have jumped Honda/Dynamics in the Manufacture-Constructors championship
THE OLD CHAMPIONS ARE BACK
This weekend was a much stronger showing for the returning champions Fabrizio Giovanardi and Alain Menu.
This weekend was a much stronger showing for the returning champions Fabrizio Giovanardi and Alain Menu.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/2620508.jpg?325)
Gio was really punchy in race 1, racing all over the back of his team mate Mat Jackson. He passed him in great stlye at the final chicane to finish in a strong points scoring position. The signs are there that Fabrizio is returning back to his best. The whole Motorbase have been better of late, emphasised by Jackson's win at Knockhill.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/4606449.jpg?328)
Swiss ace Alain Menu consistently got the better of his team mates Aron Smith, Jack Goff and Warren Scott. The latter had a big coming together with Lea Wood after the Toyota driver had contact with Aiden Moffat. Both Lea and Warren were winded but not badly injured. Wood never made it back out whilst Scott made the grid for race 3.
Menu had a strong run in race 1 passing Andrew Jordan to clinch 4th, before bettering that with 2nd in race 3 which was his 1st podium since his return. The delight and ambition was clear from Alain who is adapting to the NGTC touring car and is definitely hungry for more.
Menu had a strong run in race 1 passing Andrew Jordan to clinch 4th, before bettering that with 2nd in race 3 which was his 1st podium since his return. The delight and ambition was clear from Alain who is adapting to the NGTC touring car and is definitely hungry for more.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/1051256.jpg?352)
AUSTIN LOVES ROCKINGHAM
Rob Austin has enjoyed 2 consecutively good weekends behind the wheel of his Audi A4. A couple of podiums at Knockhill were battered with a reverse grid win after beating Alain Menu to the first turn and never looking back. It was Austin's 2nd BTCC win and his 2nd at Rockingham. Clearly there's something about the Rob Austin, Audi A4 and Rockingham combination that clicks.
Well, a titanic battle is set to continue in 3 weeks when the BTCC heads to Silverstone. For now, enjoy the weekend's photos and look forward to our 3 part series Where Are They Now?
Below is the drivers top 10 championship standings.
1. Colin Turkington (366pts)
2. Jason Plato (311pts)
3. Gordon Shedden (302pts)
4. Andrew Jordan (255pts)
5. Rob Collard (242pts)
6. Mat Jackson (234pts)
7. Matt Neal (198pts)
8. Sam Tordoff (184pts)
9. Rob Austin (139pts)
10. Aron Smith (138pts)
Thanks for reading
Luke Barry - Reporter
Laurence Johnson - Editor/Photographer
All our photo galleries will be updated as soon as possible we will also tweet and Facebook some of our best shots. So don't forget to follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/@thegriduk
and like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/thegriduk
Rob Austin has enjoyed 2 consecutively good weekends behind the wheel of his Audi A4. A couple of podiums at Knockhill were battered with a reverse grid win after beating Alain Menu to the first turn and never looking back. It was Austin's 2nd BTCC win and his 2nd at Rockingham. Clearly there's something about the Rob Austin, Audi A4 and Rockingham combination that clicks.
Well, a titanic battle is set to continue in 3 weeks when the BTCC heads to Silverstone. For now, enjoy the weekend's photos and look forward to our 3 part series Where Are They Now?
Below is the drivers top 10 championship standings.
1. Colin Turkington (366pts)
2. Jason Plato (311pts)
3. Gordon Shedden (302pts)
4. Andrew Jordan (255pts)
5. Rob Collard (242pts)
6. Mat Jackson (234pts)
7. Matt Neal (198pts)
8. Sam Tordoff (184pts)
9. Rob Austin (139pts)
10. Aron Smith (138pts)
Thanks for reading
Luke Barry - Reporter
Laurence Johnson - Editor/Photographer
All our photo galleries will be updated as soon as possible we will also tweet and Facebook some of our best shots. So don't forget to follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/@thegriduk
and like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/thegriduk