Triple champ Shedden leaves BTCC 22 | 01 | 2018
SCOT GORDON SHEDDEN has shocked the British Touring Car Championship and Team Dynamics and by announcing he will not contest the 2018 season. The three-time BTCC champ has been linked to a drive in the new TCR-based World Touring Car Cup, though the 38-year-old from Auchterarder has yet to announce his plans. (Related: Shedden reflects on triple BTCC title)
The Scot got his first feel of a TCR car last year when he drove for the TCR International title-winning WRT Volkswagen team in the Dubai finale, taking a pole position and second-place finish on a one-off outing. (Related: How Gordon Shedden won third BTCC title)
Shedden — one of the most popular drivers on the grid who won 48 BTCC races in 347 starts, and bagged 76 podiums and 12 pole positions — spent all but one of his 12 touring car seasons with Team Dynamics, which runs the factory-backed Hondas in the championship.
“Today is a really difficult and emotional day for me,” Shedden said. “I can confirm I will not be competing in the British Touring Car Championship in 2018, which obviously means I will not be racing with Honda and Team Dynamics. They have been part of my life for the last 11 years and I have been made to feel a part of the family.
“Steve and Matt Neal gave me a chance in 2006, and we haven’t looked back since. From a Fiesta racer to a triple British Touring Car Champion, I could not have dreamed of the success we have achieved together.
“That success, along with Matt’s three championships, is a testament to the hard work, determination and passion that is intrinsic in the team. To Steve, Matt, technical director Barry Plowman and everyone at Team Dynamics, I will be forever grateful, in particular my race engineer Eddie Hinckley, who has engineered my car since 2006!
“I am very lucky to have had such a successful partnership with the team, Honda and all our sponsors. We have been on a huge journey together, achieving multiple Teams’, Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships.
“Along the way, we have had a lot of fun and created memories I will take and cherish forever. It may be the end of a chapter, but it won’t be the end of the friendships I have made.”
Former team-mate Matt Neal was quick to add his appreciation of Shedden’s achievements.
“Gordon is a part of our family and success story,” he stated. “He’s got a new and exciting opportunity and we would never hold him back from that. We wish him the very best of success in his new challenge – he’s a phenomenal competitor and he’s certainly talented enough!
“One thing is for sure – despite ‘Flash’ racing elsewhere this season, he’ll always remain part of our Dynamics family and part of our team.”
And there was further praise for the Scot from David Hodgetts, Honda UK managing director.
“I would like to thank Gordon for the key role he has played in Honda’s BTCC successes over the past decade. He has made a tremendous contribution to the team,” Hodgetts said.
“Not only winning three Drivers’ titles but also helping us to secure five Manufacturers’ crowns and six Teams’ trophies, which is an outstanding accomplishment by any measure.
“Indeed, his 48 career victories place him fourth on the all-time list – and we are immensely proud that he achieved every single one of them in Honda cars. I wish Gordon all the best in his future career.”
Related: Misery for Shedden at Rockingham
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Jim McGill