Gordon Shedden over the moon with first BTCC title

Gordon Shedden secured his first BTCC drivers’ title in a terrific day for Honda and Team Dynamics, as the team walked away from a soggy Brands Hatch with the drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers’ titles.

After Shedden was able to extend his lead on title rival Jason Plato in race one by moving ahead of him and finishing fifth, the 33-year-old Scottish driver took second place in race two in a lighter car to make sure of his first drivers’ title one race before the end of the season.

In a year where Honda have been pushed hard by the resurgence of Triple Eight with their new NGTC-specification MG6 GT and the return of two-time champion Jason Plato to the team, coupled with new regulations to deal with the equality of engines, it’s been a tricky year, where Honda dominated the first half but struggled in recent races, but the wet weather at Rockingham and Brands Hatch played into their hands with the Civic well suited to the tricky conditions.

“It’s been really hard, because there are so many people that have had competitive cars, and the way the regs are has made it difficult ” said Shedden to TouringCarTimes. “But it’s a testament to everyone, the chassis has been so strong, and me and Matt (Neal) have pushed each other hard, we’ve both driven probably better than ever and we’ve had to, to beat each other.”

“Between me, Matt and Jason we’ve all had our tales of woe and our ups and downs. I’ve had lots of things happen to me, Matt to him and Jason as well, it’s all probably evened itself out a bit.”

On whether Shedden, who has raced with the car number 52 in his whole time in the Championship since first starting with Team Dynamics in 2006, Shedden remarked: “Probably stay 52 I think, I don’t know.”

Team Principal Steve Neal was also delighted as the team secured the manufacturers’ and teams’ titles for the third year running, with both drivers 1 & 2 for the second consecutive year.
“There’s only one word, fantastic,” said Neal, adding enthusiastically “Can we make a hat-trick next year? That’s the question.”

BTCC Final Drivers’ Championship Standings