It’s back to BTCC bread and butter for series leader Gordon Shedden on the undulating challenge of Cheshire’s Oulton Park this weekend,
After a month long break, Shedden will be one of two Courier Country racers looking to carry forward his good form on the 2.26 mile scenic island circuit.
‘Flash’ holds an eight-point championship lead over Colin Turkington, with Honda Yuasa teammate Matt Neal just three points further back in the table.
Honda Yuasa Racing’s new Civic Type R has proved a potent weapon straight out of the box and Shedden’s return from spring break will see him return to front-wheel drive close racing after an all-action, tail-sliding BTCC busman’s holiday.
He piloted a rear-wheel drive Ford Escort Mk II in the massively successful McRae Rally Challenge which drew thousands of gravel fans to Knockhill in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Colin McRae’s 1995 World Rally Championship win.
Shedden said the experience was “110 smiles an hour” and joked after his stages debut that he was retiring from rallying with a 100% top-ten finishing record intact.
“It was great fun and people made an amazing effort to bring the rally and racing community together for a celebration of Colin,” he said.
“As championship leader I’ll have a whole load of (success ballast) weight in the car at Oulton this weekend but we’ll just have to deal with that.”
Another Scot on fire at the last Thruxton round was Angus 15-year-old Sandy Mitchell, who bagged his first two wins in the new MSA Formula category, entering the record books as the youngest Scot to win in a recognised single-seater championship.
Dundee High youngster Mitchell completely dominated proceedings over the UK’s fastest race circuit, with a lap record alongside the double victory which has rocketed him up the overall and rookie cup standings
“It was great for all our hard work to be rewarded at Thruxton and I’m really hoping to keep that momentum going this weekend,” said Sandy.