2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship - highlights from Thruxton

**Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton Circuit: A Weekend of Thrills and Chills**

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) returned to the superfast Thruxton Circuit for a weekend of intense racing action. Known for its long sweeping corners and speeds close to 150 miles per hour, Braxton (likely a typo; intended as "Thruxton") is considered the fastest circuit on the BTCC calendar and a favorite among all drivers. The event, held around July 7, 8, & 9 of this year, showcased some of the most thrilling moments of the season so far.

The opening six races of the season had already produced no fewer than five different winners, with Andrew Jordan and Jason Plato tied at the top of the points table. Defending champion Jock (likely a typo; intended as "Jordan") took pole position for the day's opening race, setting a new qualifying lap record. Gordon Shedden, in his Honda Civic Type R, followed closely behind in second place, with Neil Smith and Matt Jackson rounding out the top three. Jason Plato, however, found himself back in sixth place after the red lights went out.

As the race began, Jordan made an impressive getaway from pole position, using his fast-starting Ford to outmaneuver the two Touring cars and grab second place. The feisty champs were briefly challenged by Orton for the lead but remained in full defensive mode as Neil and Sharon (likely a typo; intended as "Smith") closed in on him. Despite falling back slightly, Jordan managed to secure his third victory of the year at his first-ever visit to Thruxton. Matt Jackson, despite some setbacks, came home in fifth place, while Rob Collard's BMW fought off three former champions—Plato, Menu, and Colin Turkleton—to claim a hard-fought fifth race.

In the second race, Jordan again made a clean getaway from pole position. However, behind him, Shen (likely a typo; intended as " Shedden") had other ideas. He attempted to dive on top of the complex on the opening lap but ran wide, creating chaos in the melee. Meanwhile, Sheldon Beaufort, driving a powerful BMW, recovered from an early mishap and quickly challenged for second place. The top two drivers pulled away from the field, with Jordan defending resolutely but eventually running out of room at the fearsomely tight pasture corner. Sharon (likely a typo; intended as " Shedden") took full advantage to draft past him, securing maximum points from Jordan and an overjoyed Collard, who claimed his first podium of the year on his home track.

The third race saw an unfamiliar grid layout, with Herb Ritte's Ford leading the front row and Jack Gough's Box Horn taking second. Anna Morgan's Mercedes, starting from fifth, made a lightning getaway, driving around the outside to grab second spot. However, behind Collard, Morgan tapped into a spin, causing the sliding Mercedes to clip Plato's car and break its suspension on the spot. Meanwhile, Chuggington (likely a typo; intended as "Turkleton") wasted no time slipping into first place, with his BMW edging away from the field. His progress was briefly interrupted by a safety car following Simon Belcher's spectacular roll of his Toyota Avensis over the barriers. After the restart, Collard quickly re-established himself at the front, while Matt Jackson's Ford held a safe second.

Behind the leaders, there was plenty of action as Colorado Neal collided at the complex, taking both cars out. Jordan and Shedden fought hard for third, with Turkleton sailing home to score his second win of the year. Meanwhile, Matt Jackson and Gio Bernard just managed to fend off the chasing pack, securing the first podium of Jackson's BTCC returns.

In an interview post-race, Matt Jackson reflected on the weekend: "Any race weekend that ends up with the second position is gotta be a good one, right? Overall, it's been fantastic. We had a great qualifying and ended up in P4, which was amazing. Thruxton is such a tight circuit for racing—it's always at the right end of the grid to be on your toes. The Honda's have definitely been the benchmark this weekend, able to keep the cars on track for 16 laps. We struggled a bit but we've been chipping away all day and made some steps forward in the third race."

Looking ahead, Jackson expressed confidence in his team's performance: "We're expecting the Honda's to be the cars to beat again when we get to Oulton Park next. Andrew Jordan looks like he's on fire—he needs to slow down because they are definitely the benchmark. I'm sure the MGAs will show their form back at Oulton as well with Jason [Plato]."

Thruxton Circuit, known for its challenging layout and close racing, was once again a favorite among drivers and fans alike. Jackson highlighted its unique charm: "Owen Park (likely a typo; intended as 'Thruxton') is one of the best circuits in the UK. It's an amazing place that hasn't changed—it's still as it was. Spectators can get right close to the banks and cars, making it an exciting weekend for everyone involved."

As the season progresses, all eyes are on Andrew Jordan and his Honda team, who seem to have set the pace at Thruxton. With Oulton Park up next on the calendar, fans can expect another thrilling周末 of racing as the BTCC contenders battle for supremacy.

---

This article captures the full excitement and drama of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship's weekend at Thruxton Circuit, providing a detailed account of the races, driver performances, and post-event reflections.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ena huge bank holiday crowd welcome the stars from the dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to superfast thruxton around 7 8 & 9 of this year's thrilling BTCC but it's long sweeping corners and speeds close to 150 miles an hour Braxton is the fastest circuit on the calendar it's a real favorite with all the drivers who benefit from the special Dunlop hard compound tires designed specially to cope with the extra demands the season's opening six races had produced no fewer than five different winners with Andrew Jordan and Jason Plato tied at the top of the points table and it was defending champ jock who took pole position for the day's opening race setting a new qualifying lap record the process behind him man Neil and Gordon Shedden made it an all Honda top three in their new civic tourism Matt Jackson and rookie Tommy Ingram lined up an impressive fourth and fifth but Plato back in sixth as the red lights went out Jordan made his getaway on a fast start Ford of Matt Jackson out fumble the two tourists to grab second the feisty champs and they're briefly challenged Orton for the lead but my mid-distance was in full defensive mood Neil and Sharon hot on his heels after a couple of attacks the two tourists were through that they could do nothing to stop a delighting Jordan score his third victory of the year at his first ever at fracks time despite falling back Jackson came home in for the head of a great bathroom that saw Rob collards BMW fending off three former champs Plato a la menu and Colin turkleton to claim a hard-fought fifth race to saw Jordan again make a clean getaway from pole position behind Shen had other ideas he tried to dive on top of the complex on the opening lap running wide and in the melee and second place the power of the BMW the recovering Sheldon Beaufort stirred in fighting boo first challenging and passing the opportunist colored second there putting the pressure on the leader the top two through clear Jordan defended resolutely but eventually is on the limit on the hatchback slightly out of shape and the fearsomely pastures corner and Sharon took full advantage to draft past it to the league Jordan fought back but the race was red-flagged three laps early following a massive accident between Rob Austin's Andy and Nick Foster's BMW thankfully neither driver was injured in what was a dramatic incident so it was Shedden who took maximum points from Jordan and an overjoyed color taking his first podium of the year are what's his home track with the top ten finishers reversed for a predictably dramatic third race the grid had an unfamiliar look to it as they lined up it was the Ford of Herb Ritts EOG urban Rd the box horn of Jack Gough which won the front row and Anna Morgan ski Mercedes mate OMG erosion it was turkey tuned from fifth those who made a lightning getaway driving around the outside to grab second spot on the sprint away from the lights behind Collard tap Morgan into a spin and the sliding Mercedes clipped an innocent plato breaking the mg suspension on the spot while those behind were sorting themselves out Chuggington wasted no time slipping fast even rd for the lead the BMW starting edging away his progress was briefly interrupted by the intervention of the safety car when Simon Belcher spectacularly rolled his Toyota Avensis over the barriers at church again the driver escaped unharmed after the restart targeted quickly re-established himself from the front the jacksons Ford now in a safe second but while the first two drew away there was plenty more action behind Colorado Neal collided at the complex taking both off the sleeve at Jim and Hardy depend on Jordan shedded and got the third an untroubled turkleton sailed home to score his second win of the year Jackson and Gio Bernard of just fending off the chasing pack to take the first podium of his BTCC returns as the tough settled read goodman caught up with Matt Jackson so Matt any any race weekend that ends up with the second position it's gotta be a good one isn't it yes yeah overall it's been fantastic you know we had a great qualifying to meet p4 was amazing and obviously Thruxton is it's such a tight circuit in the racing it's the it's the right end of the grid to be and you know it meant that we were off to a good start this morning obviously proved in the races that the Honda's were the were the benchmark they seem to be able to keep the cars on for you know the good 16 laps we struggled a little bit but we've been chipping away all day and obviously the third race you know it's um we made some steps forward so very very happy to Alton partner it's a little bit of a break before we get there but do you expecting the Honda's to be the the cars to beat again when we get to all Hanazawa and the championship now many times they're not going to lose it now that they are the car that's a fact and obviously Andrew looks like he's on fire you need to slow down they are definitely the benchmark and I'm sure the mga will show their form back at Oulton as well with Jason so you know I feel quite confident we're in the mix and hopefully we can you know ride their good form into into Walton what kind of circuit is on Park further for the teams for the drivers but for the fans as well I think Owen Parker is one of the best circuits in the UK you know it's um it's an amazing place that sort of hasn't um it hasn't sort of moved on it's still as it was and it's absolutely you know as the spectators can get right close to the the banks and the cars you know there's always a massive Turner you know the fans are great in that part in that part of the UK and I'm sure it'll be an exciting weekend one of the tracks that all of the drivers enjoy visiting absolutely yeah it's a proper drivers circuit you know it's gonna be very very close to there really lots of door mirrors there getting knocked off and lots of paint swapping so ya know definitely a good weekend see you there see you there youa huge bank holiday crowd welcome the stars from the dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to superfast thruxton around 7 8 & 9 of this year's thrilling BTCC but it's long sweeping corners and speeds close to 150 miles an hour Braxton is the fastest circuit on the calendar it's a real favorite with all the drivers who benefit from the special Dunlop hard compound tires designed specially to cope with the extra demands the season's opening six races had produced no fewer than five different winners with Andrew Jordan and Jason Plato tied at the top of the points table and it was defending champ jock who took pole position for the day's opening race setting a new qualifying lap record the process behind him man Neil and Gordon Shedden made it an all Honda top three in their new civic tourism Matt Jackson and rookie Tommy Ingram lined up an impressive fourth and fifth but Plato back in sixth as the red lights went out Jordan made his getaway on a fast start Ford of Matt Jackson out fumble the two tourists to grab second the feisty champs and they're briefly challenged Orton for the lead but my mid-distance was in full defensive mood Neil and Sharon hot on his heels after a couple of attacks the two tourists were through that they could do nothing to stop a delighting Jordan score his third victory of the year at his first ever at fracks time despite falling back Jackson came home in for the head of a great bathroom that saw Rob collards BMW fending off three former champs Plato a la menu and Colin turkleton to claim a hard-fought fifth race to saw Jordan again make a clean getaway from pole position behind Shen had other ideas he tried to dive on top of the complex on the opening lap running wide and in the melee and second place the power of the BMW the recovering Sheldon Beaufort stirred in fighting boo first challenging and passing the opportunist colored second there putting the pressure on the leader the top two through clear Jordan defended resolutely but eventually is on the limit on the hatchback slightly out of shape and the fearsomely pastures corner and Sharon took full advantage to draft past it to the league Jordan fought back but the race was red-flagged three laps early following a massive accident between Rob Austin's Andy and Nick Foster's BMW thankfully neither driver was injured in what was a dramatic incident so it was Shedden who took maximum points from Jordan and an overjoyed color taking his first podium of the year are what's his home track with the top ten finishers reversed for a predictably dramatic third race the grid had an unfamiliar look to it as they lined up it was the Ford of Herb Ritts EOG urban Rd the box horn of Jack Gough which won the front row and Anna Morgan ski Mercedes mate OMG erosion it was turkey tuned from fifth those who made a lightning getaway driving around the outside to grab second spot on the sprint away from the lights behind Collard tap Morgan into a spin and the sliding Mercedes clipped an innocent plato breaking the mg suspension on the spot while those behind were sorting themselves out Chuggington wasted no time slipping fast even rd for the lead the BMW starting edging away his progress was briefly interrupted by the intervention of the safety car when Simon Belcher spectacularly rolled his Toyota Avensis over the barriers at church again the driver escaped unharmed after the restart targeted quickly re-established himself from the front the jacksons Ford now in a safe second but while the first two drew away there was plenty more action behind Colorado Neal collided at the complex taking both off the sleeve at Jim and Hardy depend on Jordan shedded and got the third an untroubled turkleton sailed home to score his second win of the year Jackson and Gio Bernard of just fending off the chasing pack to take the first podium of his BTCC returns as the tough settled read goodman caught up with Matt Jackson so Matt any any race weekend that ends up with the second position it's gotta be a good one isn't it yes yeah overall it's been fantastic you know we had a great qualifying to meet p4 was amazing and obviously Thruxton is it's such a tight circuit in the racing it's the it's the right end of the grid to be and you know it meant that we were off to a good start this morning obviously proved in the races that the Honda's were the were the benchmark they seem to be able to keep the cars on for you know the good 16 laps we struggled a little bit but we've been chipping away all day and obviously the third race you know it's um we made some steps forward so very very happy to Alton partner it's a little bit of a break before we get there but do you expecting the Honda's to be the the cars to beat again when we get to all Hanazawa and the championship now many times they're not going to lose it now that they are the car that's a fact and obviously Andrew looks like he's on fire you need to slow down they are definitely the benchmark and I'm sure the mga will show their form back at Oulton as well with Jason so you know I feel quite confident we're in the mix and hopefully we can you know ride their good form into into Walton what kind of circuit is on Park further for the teams for the drivers but for the fans as well I think Owen Parker is one of the best circuits in the UK you know it's um it's an amazing place that sort of hasn't um it hasn't sort of moved on it's still as it was and it's absolutely you know as the spectators can get right close to the the banks and the cars you know there's always a massive Turner you know the fans are great in that part in that part of the UK and I'm sure it'll be an exciting weekend one of the tracks that all of the drivers enjoy visiting absolutely yeah it's a proper drivers circuit you know it's gonna be very very close to there really lots of door mirrors there getting knocked off and lots of paint swapping so ya know definitely a good weekend see you there see you there you\n"