Gordon Shedden heads into the final nine races of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship leading the championship ahead of Honda Racing team-mate Matt Neal, as they prepare to take to the Rockingham circuit this weekend.

Shedden, who took a race win and podium finish last time out at his home circuit at Knockhill in his turbo Honda Civic, admits that it’s going to be tough following the recent TOCA regulation amendments affecting all turbo powered cars with immediate effect.

“Qualifying is going to be vital for us at Rockingham, and lugging that extra weight around is going to make things tough,” comments Shedden. “Carrying the weight is a pain, but it means you are doing well in the points so that has to be a good thing.”

The 42-year old, who took a podium place finish when the teams last travelled to the Northants circuit, will carry 65kgs of success ballast this weekend which includes the 45kgs of success ballast given for leading the drivers championship standings.

“There are three heavy acceleration zones and that is where it is going to hurt us but we know we have a great car in the Civic and the chassis is excellent so hopefully that will help us overcome any handicap. In a sense, Rockingham is one of the worst tracks to come to if you have to carry 45 kilogrammes but it is the price you have to pay for wins.”

Photo Credit: Honda Media

James Mappin is the editor-in-chief covering the British Touring Car Championship. You can contact him at james@btcccrazy.co.uk, on twitter @BTCCCrazy or on his personal twitter account @jamesmappin.