Mat in winner’s circle but injuries dampen the mood

MAT Jackson claimed a superb race victory to cap an impressive weekend for the Warwickshire racer in the latest round of the British Touring Car Championships at the Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.

Jackson claimed victory in race three to add to his third and seven positions in the previous two races, lifting him inside the top ten in the overall standings – however his success was marred by serious injuries sustained to two drivers in qualifying.

Motorbase Performance teammate Luke Davenport and Eurotech Racing Honda’s Jeff Smith were involved in a multi-car pileup early on in the qualifying session at Barcroft corner. Both drivers are currently in a serious but stable condition after suffering multiple injuries in the crash.

Back on the track, the two free practice sessions promised much for Jackson and he delivered in qualifying, taking third place.

Finishing race one where he started, in third place, gave him a good base to push on in races two and three. Race two left him in seventh at the end and the grid system for race three left him starting in third again.

Making a great start, Jackson pulled in behind the pole sitter and pressured him into a mistake a couple of laps in.

Jackson then put the hammer down and pulled out a good lead which he held until his tyres started to go off and he then became embroiled in a great scrap but held on to take a muchneeded win for the team.

The points haul from the weekend has catapulted him into the top ten of the championship for the first time this season, into ninth spot.

Triple Eight Racing MG driver Aron Taylor-Smith was also involved in the serious accident in qualifying, and was knocked unconscious, having to be helped from his car and taken to the circuit’s medical centre for checks.

Warwickshire’s Power Maxed Racing team had another good weekend with Senna Proctor who was in the points in all three races.

Proctor’s results leave him at the top of the Jack Sears Trophy table for young drivers.