WTCC 2007
SLR 722GT Trophy 2008 Review
04/04/2010
In dry, slightly warmer conditions, race two of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship got underway, with Jason starting on the front row of the grid in P2 and Alex in P7.
From the lights, Jason made a clean start, holding position and resisting pressure from the ever-present O'Neill behind. Despite O'Neill's best efforts, Jason adapted his defensive driving style, ensuring better exit from the corners, enabling him to pull away and keep a margin to maintain position.
As the race moved into the closing stages, Jason nurtured his tyres, fearing a potential puncture to the front tyre by the thirteenth lap. By this point, Neal had worked his way up from midpack and was closing in on the Cruze.
Some intense laps unfolded, as the team watched two of the championship's greatest on-track rivals fighting for position, but a lap later, Jason ran wide, allowing Neal to position himself side-by-side with the Cruze. Trying to outbrake each other into the chicane, the duelling pair made contact as Jason ran wide under braking, unable to make the corner. Both spun simultaneously, but rejoined the pack – Neal heading for P2 and Jason further down in P4.
Jason summarised: "We ended up with quite an oversteering car from midway through the race. I had the measure from Paul, but Matt was charging up at phenomenal pace. On the penultimate lap I had a big slide at Church. I lost the rear of the car, then got onto the rough stuff, collecting pick up. Matt had such a good run, so I knew he'd have a go. I thought, I'd let him come round the outside of me and I'd hold him out as long as I could, so he wouldn't be able to get up the inside. My game plan was to keep him out there, so he'd have to miss the chicane, gaining an unfair advantage, so he'd have to concede. But it didn't quite work. As we got onto the brakes, I lost the rear of my car, so it sent me in to him and it was game over. I was trying to be crafty but it was a bit of a mistake from me. It would have been nice for a 2nd, but we'll take 4th. My championship begins at Rockingham."
Alex also enjoyed his on-track action, having won the battle for position from Clio Cup rival, Phil Glew off the start. Running in 5th place by the eighth lap, Alex was posting consistently quick laptimes and closing in on the back of the leading pack, until a charging Neal caught and passed him.
Staying with the pack, Alex finished his second race in a very respectable 6th place – another points scoring finish for the championship's youngest competitor.
Alex commented: "I got off the line well, but Jackson made a poorer start so I was boxed in on the first corner. Boardman got around the outside whilst I was held up, but then I cleared and I started to catch Boardman., He went off with a puncture, so I passed but then Neal came through from the back of the grid. I locked up into the chicane and he got a better run out. I was on the dirty part of the track which screwed my line up so
And for race three, his plans are simple, "I start race three from 4th on the grid, so I've got to be aiming for a podium."
Jason now has 21 championship points, having also been award one point for setting the fastest lap with a 1:19.094s on the second lap and Alex has 9. They are currently 2nd and 7th in the championship standings respectively.
Catch the final race of the weekend live on ITV4.
You can read all the latest news on www.chevroletbtcc.com and follow us on www.twitter.com
