Gordon Shedden retakes points lead with race two win

Gordon Shedden has moved back ahead in the lead of the drivers’ championship with a win in race two at Croft, leading team-mate Matt Neal whilst Rob Austin takes his team’s first podium of the year.

22 cars took the start after an engine change was required for Motorbase Performance’s Mat Jackson after race one, which hadn’t been completed in time. Jeff Smith’s Eurotech Racing Honda also started from last place after he was unable to make the grid after repairs required after his off in race one.

Rob Collard jumped into the lead into the first corner from second on the grid, with Rob Austin also making a good start in his rear-wheel drive Audi, moving up to fourth. But Matt Neal was able to retake the lead before the end of the first lap, with Andrew Jordan also making up the two spots he lost at the start, passing Tom Onslow-Cole’s BMW with contact and then Rob Austin to reclaim fourth.

Gordon Shedden overtook Collard at the end of lap one to move into second place, and then closed down and passed his team-mate on lap three for the lead, and held on to take his sixth win of the season.

Andrew Jordan overtook Rob Collard at Tower Bend on lap three in the Eurotech Racing Honda, with Collard and Rob Austin then involved in a three lap battle, with Austin finally getting the better of the BMW driver on lap six.

Jason Plato had worked his way up to seventh place by lap eight, but was unable to close the gap to the leading six cars.

The two works Hondas managed to pull away from Andrew Jordan, who was caught and passed by Rob Austin at the hairpin at the end of lap 14. Austin then closed up on a slowing Matt Neal on the final lap, with Neal stopping on the finish straight due to a low oil pressure warning after passing the chequered flag.

Jordan was forced to defend hard from a charging Rob Collard late in the race, but just held on to keep fourth place with the two West Surrey Racing BMWs finishing fifth and sixth.

The draw for the reversed grid for race three has been made, which will see the top ten reversed with Nick Foster starting from pole position with Andy Neate alongside in the Triple Eight MG.

The third race takes place at 17:10 BST.