Swaffer’s title again – at last

Motorsport

Ashford’s Matt Swaffer is celebrating a successful defence of his Production BMW Championship title.

The 38-year-old effectively won the series back in September but wasn’t able to celebrate at the time.

Title rival William Davison appealed against his disqualification at Donington leaving Swaffer and his team waiting to learn their fate.

Davison subsequently won both races at the final round of the season at Snetterton but it counted for nothing when his appeal was finally thrown out.

Swaffer’s father Roger said: “It’s made it completely flat, winning the championship because of all the aggravation with the other competitor.

“It’s taken the fun out of it. The Snetterton race was in September so it’s ridiculous.

“Last year we won it at the last meeting, in the last race, so it was him crossing the line, winning the race and the championship. But it’s been six weeks this time.

“The appeal they did was totally pointless but they wouldn’t release the points until the appeal was heard.”

Back-to-back titles still represents a significant Swaffer.

Roger said: “Only one other driver has done it since the championship’s been going. Because there’s 40 cars on the track, all identical, it’s so hard to win it. You’ve got to get every ounce out of the car.

“You’re committed to the mechanical side of it and Matthew’s a good driver.”

Next season could see Swaffer, who’s sponsored by Autoquip, racing in a BMW 1 Series Diesel.

Roger said: “The guy who’s been trying to get this championship off the ground has been racing in other championships just to get the car sorted and he’s now built a few of them so we may be driving one of his cars.

“It might be just ‘arrive and drive’ for a season.” achievement by

‘You’ve got to get every ounce out of the car’