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BMW Dealer Team UK driver Mat Jackson thrilled the crowds today as he claimed a superb second place finish in his Accident Exchange-backed BMW after starting from 18th on the grid in the second race of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft, North Yorks.

Jackson put the disappointment of the first race firmly behind him for race two. Initially, Jackson moved up two places as he commenced his masterful drive through the field and, with his sights firmly set on a top ten finish was running in eleventh place by the end of lap four. As the race unfurled Jackson firmly stamped his authority on proceedings demonstrating the superior handling, grip and acceleration of his BMW230si, which enabled him to reel off a series of stunning overtaking manoeuvres. By lap six Jackson was in ninth with Jason Plato ahead, who he soon passed. He then hunted down Adam Jones, passing him momentarily at the hairpin, Jones was unruffled and seized back seventh place, the pair attacked the start finish straight side-by-side with Jones edging ahead but was unable to hold off Jackson’s unrelenting pressure as the BMW driver passed.

As the pressure mounted and the laps unravelled Jackson’s podium finish beckoned, passing Kane at Hawthorns and claiming fourth place with only Collard and Neal between him and a champagne celebration. Jackson soon picked off Collard and moved ahead of Neal claiming second on the penultimate lap. It looked as though Jackson would at one point claim victory when fellow BMW driver and race leader Colin Turkington momentarily lost control, however despite a final lunge Jackson was unable to pass and the pair raced to line with a mere one tenth of a second separating them. Jackson was clearly delighted with his superb drive through the field and his second place finish as he climbed the podium steps to celebrate in style.

Earlier in the day torrential rain greeted the first race. Jackson, who had qualified in seventh place on the grid, made a storming start and charged into third place. He quickly applied the pressure on Gordon Shedden and on lap three put in a superb overtaking manoeuvre; taking the outside line on the run up to the Esses and claiming first place. Moments later the safety car was deployed with the race being stopped on the following lap. The grid reformed, Jackson started from second and once again demonstrated a flawless start in his rear-wheel drive BMW, charging ahead of the field where he quickly established an impressive lead. Ultimately Race 13 of the season proved unlucky for the plucky driver. Water had gathered on the track and Jackson was greeted by a pool of water at Tower and despite his valiant efforts to hold his line his car aquaplaned off the track and was quickly followed by several other racers. Jackson rejoined the field in 18th only for the race to be called two laps later. A total of four laps ran.

The final race was less frantic. Jackson started from sixth on the grid moving up into second on the chase to the first turn, however he came into contact with Mike Jordan and temporarily left the track, rejoining in 8th, he soon made up some places running in fifth behind Tom Chilton and despite his valiant attempts he was unable to pass in his BMW which was carrying 36kilos of success ballast.

As a result of this weekend Jackson now lies in third position in both the Championship standings and the Independents’ Trophy.

Jackson commented: “Obviously we were all disappointed with the first race, but we put things right for the second. The BMW was strong throughout the whole of the second race, without doubt there was some tight moments out there but at the end of the day the BMW, on this circuit in those conditions was the best car out there. In the final race I think we got the best result possible given that we were carrying a heavy load of ballast. It was, in the end, a good day and nice to come away with a handful of points.”

Team Principal Chris Tee commented, “Yes, disappointed with race one, especially after leading after both starts, but Mat put in another excellent start to race two and drove a very strong solid race, the likes which has rarely been seen this season. The team is pleased however with the overall outcome of the weekend and it is always good to come away with more points. We are now going into a six week break, we will do a little bit of testing and return stronger.”

Race One Result
1. C Turkington (BMW)
2. M Neal (Vauxhall)
3. G Shedden (Honda)
4. F Giovanardi (Vauxhall)
5. R Collard (BMW)
6. M Jordan (Honda)
7. S Kane (BMW)
8. A Jones (SEAT)
9. M Doyle (Honda)
10. A Jordan (Honda)

18.M Jackson (BMW)

Race Two Result
1. C Turkington (BMW)
2. M Jackson (BMW)
3. M Neal (Vauxhall)
4. R Collard (BMW)
5. F Giovanardi (Vauxhall)
6. A Jones (SEAT)
7. M Jordan (Honda)
8. J Plato (SEAT)
9. D Turner (SEAT)
10. S Jelley (BMW)

Race Three Result
1. F Giovanardi (Vauxhall)
2. A Jones (SEAT)
3. M Neal (Vauxhall)
4. T Chilton (Honda)
5. M Jackson (BMW)
6. G Shedden (Honda)
7. T O-Cole (Vauxall)
8. C Turkington (BMW)
9. S Jelley (BMW)
10. A Jordan (Honda)

Championship Standings – Top Ten
1. F Giovanardi 145
2. M Neal 122
3. M Jackson 102
4. J Plato 99
5. C Turkington 98
6. T O-Cole 97
7. G Shedden 84
8. D Turner 78
9. A Jones 69
10. T Chilton 49
-ends-

For further information please contact Jane Cain on 0208 541 3434 or log onto www.accidentexchange.com/btcc

Editors’ Notes

Accident Exchange
In association with vehicle manufacturers, franchised motor dealers and body repairers, Accident Exchange provides prestige vehicle rental together with bespoke marketing and support systems and technology solutions. Its service is developed with the specific aims of improving end user customer service for its business partners, reinforcing the perceived value of their brand and reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of assisting clients following a road accident.

The British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is the UK’s most popular motor racing spectacle. Its race season comprises ten events at top circuits across the UK. It is contested by professional racing drivers in competition versions of every day road cars, giving it tremendous public appeal. Around 300,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year. www.btcc.net

HiQ (part of Goodyear Dunlop) has become the BTCC's new title sponsor in 2008 in a new three-year agreement. It provides a fast-fit car care service at its 150 centres across the UK. In the next two years, that number will rise to 250 as HiQ embarks on revolutionising the fast-fit industry. It has already taken the lead by offering a unique online service www.hiqonline.co.uk for motorists to buy tyres and arrange a fitting appointment.

2008 BTCC Calendar
Brands Hatch 30/Mar/2008
Rockingham 13 Apr 2008
Donington Park 04 May 2008
Thruxton 18 May 2008
Croft 01 Jun 2008
Snetterton 13 Jul 2008
Oulton Park 27 Jul 2008
Knockhill 17 Aug 2008
Silverstone 31 Aug 2008
Brands Hatch 21 Sep 2008