Shedden Takes Comfortable Win In Eventful Opener
Gordon Shedden took victory on home soil in the first of today’s three races at Knockhill. The 31 year old Scot took advantage of his front row start to out drag pole sitter Alex MacDowall on the run down to the first corner. Shedden outbraked the Chevrolet driver around the outside to lead but it all nearly ended in tears when MacDowall clipped the back of the Honda as he was overtaken. Somehow Shedden saved it, holding a sideways slide whilst maintaining forward motion and bringing the car back around. It isn’t the first time this season that Shedden has shown his immense car control, having held a similar slide at Brands Hatch earlier in the season.
Shedden’s victory was interrupted by two safety car periods. One after a first lap collision between Andy Neate and John George and the second with ten laps to go, for debris to be removed from the circuit. Other than this it was a straight forward Sunday drive for Shedden who was able to pull clear of Alex MacDowall and manage the gap back to him. MacDowall was able to hold second position for the remainder of the race despite early pressure from Matt Neal.
Third position went to Steven Kane after a very impressive drive from fifth on the grid. After early overtakes on Tom Onslow-Cole and Jason Plato, Kane look set for fourth but the second safety car, allowed him to close up on Matt Neal and after piling on the pressure, he used the extra grip the BMW appeared to have, to drive past and take the podium finish.
Although Neal may feel frustrated at being denied a podium finish so close to the end of the race, he can at least be pleased with outscoring championship rivals Jason Plato and Tom Onslow-Cole who finished sixth and seventh respectively.
For the full race result see here: http://www.tsl-timing.com/toca/2010/103503trg.pdf
Photo credit: Steven James Knightley (www.sjkphotography.co.uk)
Thomas Surgay
