Mat Jackson vows to ‘give it a good go’ in title race

Mat Jackson has vowed that Motorbase will ‘give it a good go’ to secure the BTCC title on the back of him securing a fourth win of the season at Knockhill.

Jackson rebounded from a tough qualifying session to pick up two solid results in the opening two races of the weekend, with sixth place in race two being rewarded with pole for race three thanks to the reverse grid draw.

Producing a masterclass in defensive driving, Jackson led the final race from start to finish to become the first four-time winner this season and remain firmly in the championship hunt.

“That was one of the hardest races I’ve had as there are parts of the track where rear-wheel drive cars can annihilate you,” he said. “I knew where I had the pace, so it was a case of making sure I covered against Sam [Tordoff] when I needed to and I was driving in the mirrors.

“He drove a clean race and whilst he had a good go to muscle his way through, that was my win.”

Jackson now finds himself fifth in the standings with three meetings to go, although he admitted it was still wide open in terms of who will emerge on top of the pile.

“Clearly we’ve had a few howlers like Croft with the tyre decision and then Snetterton with an ECU issue that cost us points, but it is the same for others as well,” he said. “There have been points that have slipped through our fingers but we have a quick car, I feel good in it and we’ll give it our all in the race for the title.

“I think the BMW is in a class of its own and the Subaru is coming on too strong as well so there is no doubt that it will be tough as the rear-wheel drive cars have unlocked something. However, we have what we have and that is front-wheel drive Focus so we’ll do our best to peg them back.

“The championship will be tough to win and there are four big teams involved, but we’ll give it a damn good go.”