Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing: CHAMPIONS!

Uncategorised,Racing

Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing are the 2013 champions in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car after an all-action final event of the season at Brands Hatch (13 October). Andrew and the team had to fight back after a devastating retirement in the second race, but delivered yet another mighty performance to win the biggest prize in British motor racing.

In dreadful weather conditions and in front of a huge audience, both live at the track and at home watching live on ITV4, Andrew went into the 30th and final race of the season from the very back of the grid, knowing that he had to get into the top 10 to seal the title. Andrew and Pirtek Racing delivered magnificently and Andrew has now added his name to the list of British Touring Car Champions.

After all the celebrations and TV interviews, Andrew had time to catch his breath and reflect on a day packed with emotion. “Race one was all about keeping out of trouble,” he said of the day’s first race on a soaking wet track. “I had a couple of slides and Tom Onslow-Cole got past me. We finished P5 and Gordon Shedden took five points out of us.” But that was still a good result and he went into the second race knowing he had a chance of clinching the title.

“It was a big hairy moment at Paddock on the first lap when Shedden got tagged and went sideways,” he said. “Then I got in a group and I had a feeling it was going to kick off. Aron Smith had a lunge at Surtees and hit Rob Collard and spun him round. I was heading straight for Rob and had to hit the brakes and jink left. But Matt Neal was there because he was trying to avoid it. I clipped the BMW and straightaway I knew we were in trouble.

“I thought I had a puncture so I carried on and then had a big spin at Hawthorns. I nearly got stuck on the grass and had to do this three-point turn because I didn’t want to go on to the grass on the other side of the track. But the wheel was hanging off and I managed to get it back to the pits.”

It was the Pirtek Racing Honda’s first retirement of the season after 28 consecutive points’ scoring finishes. However, while the team worked hard to repair the damage, Andrew kept his focus on the job in hand. “I was then the most relaxed I’ve been before race three,” he said. “It had taken the unknown out of it and I knew what I had to do. If Jason Plato won I needed to get to eighth and if Shedden won I needed two points, so we had a goal.”

As soon as the race started he was picking up places from 24th on the grid with a brilliantly measured performance. “The Indy part of the circuit was very slippery, but I was really pushing on through the quick stuff on the Grand Prix loop.” By mid-race he was into the top 10. “I was on the radio asking if this was definitely enough. I was then taking it really steady and making the gear changes really slowly and staying off the kerbs.”

The emotions erupted as he took the flag, knowing that the title was won. “The main feeling was relief,” admitted Andrew. “To do it in the last race was a great way to do it. I’d rather have done it earlier, but that way made great TV! We also won back-to-back Independent and Independent Team titles. It’s been an amazing effort by everyone and we’ve finished 29 out of 30 races.”

As the champagne sprayed, Andrew paid tribute to everyone involved in the close-knit Pirtek Racing team. He also recorded his appreciation of the support from his major sponsor and all the associate sponsors who made the season possible. “Pirtek has been with us since 2004 and is the most loyal sponsor you could have. The Pirtek support is fantastic!”