Stephen Jelley wins first BTCC race

Team RAC driver Stephen Jelley has won his first race in the BTCC, as Jason Plato finished second to close in on the championship leaders.

Colin Turkington could only manage 10th and saw his lead shrink dramatically in the first race of the day.

Jonathan Adam took an early lead as expected, with Jelley jumping into second, and Rob Collard making an incredible getaway into third from eighth.

After the safety car was deployed on lap one however, to rescue the Vauxhall Vectra of Matt Neal, who had collected Johnny Herbert in the first corner, Jason Plato was able to work his way back up, with Mat Jackson following through.

Adam’s car started to lose pace mid-race, this allowed Jelley to slip past and place himself ready to take his first ever victory.

Colin Turkington found himself fighting his way up the field, but got caught out whilst chasing Andrew Jordan and James Nash, and spun. He eventually recovered to 10th place after team mate Anthony Reid relinquished the position.

Turkington now leads the championship with just seven points on Giovanardi, and 29 on Jason Plato.