Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan has maintained his lead in the Independents Championship despite a challenging weekend at Snetterton as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season resumed after the summer break.
Andrew went into the weekend hoping to build on an encouraging test at the Norfolk circuit last month, and was on the pace in the opening practice session at the wheel of his Motorbase Performance-run Ford Focus as he posted the fourth quickest time.
Sadly, a vibration in FP2 was followed by a power steering problem in qualifying that meant Andrew was unable to set a time and was forced to start the opening race of the weekend from the back of the grid.
Despite a strong start when the lights went out, contact at Agostini on lap one saw Andrew forced across the grass although he was still able to move up seven places to 24th by the time the first lap was complete.
Continuing to battle his way forwards, Andrew picked up valuable championship points in 14th place.
After a multi-car accident forced race two to be halted, Andrew set about making further forward progress when a shortened ten lap race got underway but more contact from rival drivers in the pack meant he was unable to build on the undoubted pace of his car and again crossed the line 14th.
However, the final race of the weekend – again shortened after an early accident – saw Andrew at his best as he raced his way up to fifth place, ensuring he maintains a 23 point lead in the Independents championship and remains firmly in contention for overall honours in eighth place.
“The results on race day have been a legacy of qualifying, which was just one of those unfortunate things that happens,” he said. “Even with that problem though, I think we could have got more from race day as we could have been inside the top twelve in race one and in the top ten in race two. However, I found myself being hit by other drivers in both races and when you find yourself in the middle of the pack, it can be hard.
“The pace of the car was clear to see with Mat [Jackson] winning race two and it was good in race three that we could show that with a strong run through to fifth, and it was a race I really enjoyed, battling hard and cleanly for position.
“While the weekend hasn’t gone to plan, we’ve kept our lead in the Independents Championship and are still in contention overall. We’ll be carrying less weight into Knockhill as well, so we’ll just crack on and aim to come back fighting in Scotland.”
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