Shedden fights back to stay on top of overall BTCC championship.

Halfords Yuasa Racing’s weekend was one of mixed fortunes at Snetterton Circuit for Rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on the series' long-awaited return after the summer break.

Reigning champion Gordon Shedden, recovered from a tricky qualifying session on Saturday to take victory in the final race, ensuring he left Norfolk on a high – retaining his position at the head of the Drivers’ tally and with a glint in his eye as he heads for home turf at Knockhill in two weeks' time, 12-13 August.

Shedden found himself 21st on the grid, contending with the maximum 75kgs of success ballast – placed on board his Honda Civic Type R due to his status as championship leader – around a circuit where carrying the added weight really does make itself known. Coupled to a lack of clear laps in the busy session, it conspired to create an uphill battle ahead if he was to maintain his grip on the standings lead.

The first race of the day, Round 16, saw Shedden have an action-packed 12 laps culminating in 13th spot and more points for the title cause. This meant the Scot would have no ballast on board for race two, and he still held his championship lead.

Shedden, a triple BTCC champion, gained further ground in Round 17 – fighting through to seventh spot. With Flash landing second place on the reverse grid draw for Sunday's final encounter, the opportunity for a race victory to round the weekend off in the best possible fashion was there for the taking.

Shedden was able to take advantage of a little slice of luck after mechanical problems for Andrew Jordan up ahead meant the door was open for a third victory of the campaign, which he duly took – much to his, and the team's delight.

Gordon: "With my poor qualifying position, I knew that this weekend would be about damage limitation and trying to gain as many points as possible, so I fought hard in races one and two and got the luck of the reverse draw to put me second for the final race. I just kept plugging away and towards the end the tyres were going off, but as soon as (Andrew) Jordan pulled over it was head down and elbows out to finish on top of the podium which I never expected at the beginning of the day – I'm ecstatic. I'm back in the lead of the championship and heading to my home circuit at Knockhill next. It's always mega there as the crowd are right behind me and give me that extra tenth of a second."

Race report from www.gordonshedden.com

Image courtesy of Jakob Ebrey photography