Shedden bids to boost BTCC leadposted in BTCC14 | 04 | 2017
DEFENDING CHAMP GORDON SHEDDEN heads to Donington Park this weekend with his Honda Civic Type R determined to increase his lead in the British Touring Car Championship.
But the 38-year-old from Auchterarder, who started his defence with a win and a podium at the season-opener at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago, will essentially be carrying a passenger in Sunday’s first race.
“I’ve got the maximum 75kg success ballast to carry through qualifying and the first race on Sunday,” the three-time BTCC champ said today. “That’s like having someone sitting next to me in the passenger seat.
“I won last time out at Brands with 66kg in the car, and the car actually felt mega with the extra weight. Hopefully we can deliver again this weekend at Donington.
“But I’m under no illusions how tough it will be,” Shedden, who leads the Toyota of Tom Ingram by six points, continued.
“The championship lead comes with its own challenge in the form of the 75kg, but as I’ve always said, I’ll take points in the bag every day of the week and then deal with the rest of the repercussions later.
“There’s no question Donington will be tough for me in qualifying on Saturday and early doors Sunday with so many fast, light cars in the field, but that’s just the price you pay for having a strong previous weekend.”
In addition to Ingram, Shedden faces stiff competition from the BMW of former champ Andrew Jordan, seven points behind the Scot, and Adam Morgan’s Mercedes.
Related: Shedden starts BTCC defence with win and podium
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Jim McGill