Shedden leads despite tough Croftposted in BTCC11 | 06 | 2017

    DEFENDING CHAMP, SCOT Gordon Shedden, heads into the British Touring Car Championship summer break leading the title race after a tough weekend at Croft.

    While the 38-year-old from Auchterarder’s results of fifth, fourth and ninth in the day’s three races may not look immediately look successful, they must be viewed in context.

    The North-east circuit traditionally suits rear-wheel drive cars, generally handicapping Shedden’s front-wheel drive Honda Civic Type R. The Scot also carried the maximum 75kg of success ballast in the opening race.

    And in contrast, in the corresponding race weekend last year, Shedden finished 15th, 13th and 22nd.

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    That left the Scot trailing championship leader Sam Tordoff by 52 points back in ninth place. This year he heads into the break leading the title race by 11 points from Rob Collard.

    “To come away from Croft, after last year’s results at the circuit, leading the championship is mega,” Shedden said today. “It’s been a hard-fought weekend for me where we were struggling with out-and-out pace against the rear-wheel drive cars. But I’ve emerged with a good points haul and happy to go into the sabbatical at the sharp end.

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    “This time last year I was ninth in the standings and 52 points off the lead and I went on to win the championship, so I am clearly in a great position.

    “I always say championships are won on the bad weekends and not the great ones, so if this is bad, I’ll take it. Overall, I am disappointed but it could have been much worse.

    “My thoughts go out to the boys who suffered injuries in the qualifying accidents. I hope they all make a speedy recovery.”

    Related: Shedden wins chaotic Oulton finale

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    Jim McGill

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