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Ollie Jackson hits out at ‘reckless driving’ after Snetterton clashes

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Ollie Jackson has hit out at what he deemed to be reckless driving from a number of on-track rivals after finding himself in the midst of the action as the BTCC season resumed at Snetterton.

The AmDTuning.com driver was seeking to build on his three points finishes at Croft prior to the summer break, and picked up his best result to date in qualifying despite admitting he hadn’t got the best from his Audi S3.

Jackson looked well set to score points in the opening race of the weekend as he quickly worked his way into the points but things would go awry on the fifth lap, when contact from Gordon Shedden and then Mat Jackson saw the Audi slip down the order.

Further contact from the MG of Aron Taylor-Smith and Senna Proctor’s Vauxhall three laps later cost Jackson further spots as he took the flag in 18th.

Although Jackson would fight his way to 14th in race two, a hit from Mike Epps’ VW on lap one of race three forced the 33-year-old into retirement and he admitted afterwards to being far from happy with some of the on-track driving.

“There is no doubt that we had a car that was capable of the top ten this weekend and it’s only because of stupid driving from other people that we’ve not been able to get some really good points,” he said. “The car was better than it was at Croft and I think that was reflected by the improved performance in qualifying, even if we should have been higher on the grid than we were.

“In race one, we got a good start and were well placed to score but then all of a sudden, I seemed to acquire a target on my car and I was being hit from all angles. We picked up some points in race two but then again in race three, I was minding my own business and then someone smashes into me and I’m out of the race through no fault of my own.”

Jackson added that he accepted that contact is part of the sport, but that more action needed to be taken to penalise drivers in the wrong.

“Incidents keep happening and no-one gets blamed for them which I don’t think is on,” he said. “I just want to go out there and race and I accept that contact happens, but reckless driving has cost us points this weekend and left us with a big repair bill.

“The team has done a great job and given me a great car, and what has happened is a real slap in the face to them as much as it is to me.”