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We say it time and time again after BTCC weekends but what another great weekend of racing we witnessed, this weekend the setting behind Silverstone's National Circuit.
Here are the main headlines we can take into the season finale at Brands Hatch in 2 weeks time.
PLATO TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT TO BRANDS HATCH
Championship rivals Jason Plato and Colin Turkington lined up together on the front row for race 1 in Northamptonshire. Jason said prior to the race, "I want to win this race - I've got to get on top of Colin in the first two or three laps."
Jason delivered on his promise. Colin - as expected - got ahead into the first corner and dually led after the first couple of laps. Plato harried the Northern Irishman and on lap 3 made his move, slotting passed the BMW on the inside at Brooklands.
Here are the main headlines we can take into the season finale at Brands Hatch in 2 weeks time.
PLATO TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT TO BRANDS HATCH
Championship rivals Jason Plato and Colin Turkington lined up together on the front row for race 1 in Northamptonshire. Jason said prior to the race, "I want to win this race - I've got to get on top of Colin in the first two or three laps."
Jason delivered on his promise. Colin - as expected - got ahead into the first corner and dually led after the first couple of laps. Plato harried the Northern Irishman and on lap 3 made his move, slotting passed the BMW on the inside at Brooklands.
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After taking first blood in race 1, the second race was a shadow of the first with Turkington getting the jump off the line. Plato muscled his way past Colin again at Brooklands this time on lap 2, in a quite superb manoeuvre as it looked as if Turkington had it covered but Plato pounced. Jason won the second race of the day, notching up his 5th win of the season and 87th of his career.
In the third and final race of the day, Turkington started 6th with Plato 7th. The two were involved in a great battle for the final podium spot where at one point 6 champions were racing from 3rd to 8th position. The upshot of an intense, exciting battle over lap 18 and 19 left Colin claiming 3rd place with Jason one spot back in 4th.
Going into the final weekend at Brands, Turkington is in a very strong position with a 50 point buffer to Plato. Jason had a great weekend, but could not majorly damage Colin's championship cushion as Turkington was constantly just behind him. Although anything is possible, it looks highly likely that Turkington will win the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
In the third and final race of the day, Turkington started 6th with Plato 7th. The two were involved in a great battle for the final podium spot where at one point 6 champions were racing from 3rd to 8th position. The upshot of an intense, exciting battle over lap 18 and 19 left Colin claiming 3rd place with Jason one spot back in 4th.
Going into the final weekend at Brands, Turkington is in a very strong position with a 50 point buffer to Plato. Jason had a great weekend, but could not majorly damage Colin's championship cushion as Turkington was constantly just behind him. Although anything is possible, it looks highly likely that Turkington will win the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
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MOTORBASE AND BMR ON FORM
The Airwaves Racing Ford Focus's had another strong showing around Silverstone, capping off what has been a superb second half of the season for the Motorbase squad.
Mat Jackson finished 3rd in race 1, 5th in race 2 and grabbed a win in the final race by a strong margin of 2.7 seconds. As a result of this great weekend, he now lies 4th in the championship.
Giovanardi had a stronger weekend, with an impressive drive to 6th in race 2 after a poor qualifying session. However, as was proved by an epic lap 1 battle between the pair, Mat Jackson is most definitely the team leader at this current stage. However, Giovnardi was unlucky not to get a stronger result in the third race after being bullied out of the way by Turkington and Plato. But the signs are there that he's improving.
Team BMR were expected to do well here this weekend, and they delivered. Alain Menu delivered the team their first podium that wasn't from a reverse grid in race 2. Aron Smith claimed 2nd behind Jackson in the final race to round off a great weekend for the popular BMR squad who are definitely on the up. Warren celebrated his birthday on race day, so 2 podiums will be a great present for him!
The Airwaves Racing Ford Focus's had another strong showing around Silverstone, capping off what has been a superb second half of the season for the Motorbase squad.
Mat Jackson finished 3rd in race 1, 5th in race 2 and grabbed a win in the final race by a strong margin of 2.7 seconds. As a result of this great weekend, he now lies 4th in the championship.
Giovanardi had a stronger weekend, with an impressive drive to 6th in race 2 after a poor qualifying session. However, as was proved by an epic lap 1 battle between the pair, Mat Jackson is most definitely the team leader at this current stage. However, Giovnardi was unlucky not to get a stronger result in the third race after being bullied out of the way by Turkington and Plato. But the signs are there that he's improving.
Team BMR were expected to do well here this weekend, and they delivered. Alain Menu delivered the team their first podium that wasn't from a reverse grid in race 2. Aron Smith claimed 2nd behind Jackson in the final race to round off a great weekend for the popular BMR squad who are definitely on the up. Warren celebrated his birthday on race day, so 2 podiums will be a great present for him!
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HONDA'S NOWHERE
None of the Honda Civics were at the sharp end of the pack at any point this weekend, which is not what we're used to seeing.
The second half of the season has been poor for the marque, with none of their drivers particuarly excelling. Shedden's championship challenge has fallen apart as he has lost his key ingredient - consistency.
Defending champion Andrew Jordan had an awful weekend at Snetterton and since has never been ripping the opposition to shreds like he can, and barring his win at Knockhill Matt Neal's season has been a huge disappointment.
By the 3rd race of the day Jordan and Shedden were 6th and 8th respectively after gradually progressing up the field. The Hondas were lacking in straight line speed around Silverstone, which really spoils performance but the truth is none of them have been the pace setters of late. The Honda era of this decade is coming to an end it seems.
None of the Honda Civics were at the sharp end of the pack at any point this weekend, which is not what we're used to seeing.
The second half of the season has been poor for the marque, with none of their drivers particuarly excelling. Shedden's championship challenge has fallen apart as he has lost his key ingredient - consistency.
Defending champion Andrew Jordan had an awful weekend at Snetterton and since has never been ripping the opposition to shreds like he can, and barring his win at Knockhill Matt Neal's season has been a huge disappointment.
By the 3rd race of the day Jordan and Shedden were 6th and 8th respectively after gradually progressing up the field. The Hondas were lacking in straight line speed around Silverstone, which really spoils performance but the truth is none of them have been the pace setters of late. The Honda era of this decade is coming to an end it seems.
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ROB COLLARD IS OK
At the death of race 2, Rob Collard was the victim of a massive crash, akin to that suffered by Matt Neal at Silverstone 20 years ago. Rob, Gordon Shedden and Jack Clarke were squabbling out on track down the start/finish straight and into Copse. Jack Clarke and Shedden came together resulting in the former sliding through Copse. When the car swung back into a straight line, the front end collecting Collard's BMW sending the 125i into at least a 2 barrelle roll's. The race was subsequently red flagged.
Rob was airlifted to hospital for precuationary X-rays but we are all relieved to hear that he is ok. However, he of course did not compete in the third and final race of the day.
EQUALITY
Jason Plato and now Matt Neal have both been very vocal about the "advantage" Colin Turkington is enjoying with his RWD BMW.
But, an interesting point was brought up in qualifying that a RWD car has won 10 races this season, with after Silverstone, the FWDs having a tally of 17 race wins.
If RWD was so dominant, why would there be less RWD wins?
There are certain advantages the RWD cars have, in particular the extra traction off the start. But for me the main reason Turkington is way out in front is because he is a consummate professional.
He is insanely efficient; very smooth, very clean. He is utilising what he has to great effect. The BMW does seem to be the superior car, some of which is likely to be because of the RWD transmission but WSR know what they are doing and have clearly built a very capable car.
The two overrding factors for me which prove Turkington deserves his lead are these.
If the BMW was as dominant as has been implied, why are Rob Collard and Nick Foster not 2nd and 3rd in the championship?
At the death of race 2, Rob Collard was the victim of a massive crash, akin to that suffered by Matt Neal at Silverstone 20 years ago. Rob, Gordon Shedden and Jack Clarke were squabbling out on track down the start/finish straight and into Copse. Jack Clarke and Shedden came together resulting in the former sliding through Copse. When the car swung back into a straight line, the front end collecting Collard's BMW sending the 125i into at least a 2 barrelle roll's. The race was subsequently red flagged.
Rob was airlifted to hospital for precuationary X-rays but we are all relieved to hear that he is ok. However, he of course did not compete in the third and final race of the day.
EQUALITY
Jason Plato and now Matt Neal have both been very vocal about the "advantage" Colin Turkington is enjoying with his RWD BMW.
But, an interesting point was brought up in qualifying that a RWD car has won 10 races this season, with after Silverstone, the FWDs having a tally of 17 race wins.
If RWD was so dominant, why would there be less RWD wins?
There are certain advantages the RWD cars have, in particular the extra traction off the start. But for me the main reason Turkington is way out in front is because he is a consummate professional.
He is insanely efficient; very smooth, very clean. He is utilising what he has to great effect. The BMW does seem to be the superior car, some of which is likely to be because of the RWD transmission but WSR know what they are doing and have clearly built a very capable car.
The two overrding factors for me which prove Turkington deserves his lead are these.
If the BMW was as dominant as has been implied, why are Rob Collard and Nick Foster not 2nd and 3rd in the championship?
And if RWD is so obviously the best way to go, then why aren't Rob Austin and Hunter Abbott consistently at the front?
Racing drivers always want to win, and always want the bets car. When they don't win they get frustrated and may even complain. Perhaps Turkington has an advantage with his machinery but take nothing away from him because he has been outstanding and rightfully leads the championship heading into the BTCC finale in the lead with a great chance to win the title on October 12th.
DRIVER TOP 10 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1 - Colin Turkington - 417pts
2 - Jason Plato - 367pts
3 - Gordon Shedden - 317pts
4 - Mat Jackson - 283pts
5 - Andrew Jordan - 279pts
6 - Rob Collard - 251pts
7 - Sam Tordoff - 207pts
8 - Matt Neal - 206pts
9 - Aron Smith - 179pts
10 - Alain Menu - 173pts
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THE GRID TEAM
Editor/Photographer - Laurence Johnson
Reporter - Luke Barry
Racing drivers always want to win, and always want the bets car. When they don't win they get frustrated and may even complain. Perhaps Turkington has an advantage with his machinery but take nothing away from him because he has been outstanding and rightfully leads the championship heading into the BTCC finale in the lead with a great chance to win the title on October 12th.
DRIVER TOP 10 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1 - Colin Turkington - 417pts
2 - Jason Plato - 367pts
3 - Gordon Shedden - 317pts
4 - Mat Jackson - 283pts
5 - Andrew Jordan - 279pts
6 - Rob Collard - 251pts
7 - Sam Tordoff - 207pts
8 - Matt Neal - 206pts
9 - Aron Smith - 179pts
10 - Alain Menu - 173pts
Don't forget to like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/thegriduk and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/@thegriduk we would like to thank you all for your continued support
THE GRID TEAM
Editor/Photographer - Laurence Johnson
Reporter - Luke Barry