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Onslow-Cole inherits race two win after Chilton exclusion

BTCC News | Sun 2nd May 2010

Tom Onslow-Cole took victory in the second race of the day at Brands Hatch, despite his fellow Team Aon driver Tom Chilton crossing the line first.

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Chilton initially looked to have taken a second consecutive victory, but was excluded when his Team Aon Ford Focus failed post-race scrutineering, handing victory to his teammate and setting a new record for the closest winning margin in the process

Chilton lost the lead at the start of the race, with Gordon Shedden getting the jump off the line to lead through the first corner, with Chilton second and Onslow-Cole third.

There was early controversy behind the leaders as Paul O'Neill moved to the inside of Rob Collard as they headed into Surtees. O'Neill became boxed in behind Matt Neal in the process. Both Neal and Collard spun onto the grass, while O'Neill continued in fourth position. Both cars were able to rejoin, but only after Collard had a narrow escape as his out of control teammate Andy Neate slid past him onto the grass.

At the end of the opening lap, Shedden led from Chilton and Onslow-Cole, with O'Neill fourth and Airwaves BMW's Mat Jackson up to fifth after starting down in tenth.

There was drama at the start of lap two though, as championship leader Jason Plato slowed to a halt as he headed up towards Druids. Also at Druids, Arthur Forster's BMW became beached in the gravel trap on the outside of the corner.

Unfortunately, the recovery of Forster's BMW necessitated a safety car period. Meanwhile, Lea Wood's Central Racing Group Honda Integra had also become stranded on the outside of Clark Curve.

Two laps behind the safety car were required, as Sheden continued to lead the race. The Honda Racing Team driver got caught out at the restart, though. His Civic slid sideways coming through Clark Curve and he was passed by Chilton, Onslow-Cole and O'Neill.

Shedden wasn't the only driver who struggled at the restart. Mat Jackson ran wide into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend, but was able to recover. Later on the same lap, Andy Neate's race came to an early end in the gravel trap at Stirling's Bend, leading to a second safety car period.

Another couple of laps later and there was no trouble for the leader at the restart this time. Indeed, there were no changes at the front, with Chilton staying ahead of Onslow-Cole and O'Neill. Fourth-placed Mat Jackson – who started down in tenth - found himself coming under pressure from Alex MacDowall

Just past the halfway point in the race and Paul O'Neill had his sights set on second position. Unfortunately for the Team Sunshine.co.uk racer, his efforts to pass Onslow-Cole opened the door for Mat Jackson and Alex MacDowall, who both squeezed past the Integra. Jackson's progress continued as he also managed to pass Onslow-Cole on lap 12, moving up to second.

The fragmented pattern of the race continued when the safety car was called upon for a third time at the end of lap 12. This time, it was Martin Depper in the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend.

When the race resumed this time, there were four laps remaining. The leaders all took the restart without any issues, but Matt Neal's race ended in the same way as Plato's had earlier on – the Civic slowed to a halt on the approach to Paddock Hill Bend.

Tom Chilton was out in front with three laps remaining, but Mat Jackson and Tom Onslow-Cole were fighting over second spot. Jackson had the advantage, but got a tap from the Focus heading into Paddock, before recovering to regain the spot.

Next time around, Jackson ran wide through Paddock and this time there was no preventing Onslow-Cole from taking second position. Alex MacDowall followed him through into third. Jackson's lap got worse when he spun out of fourth position at Surtees.

On the final lap, all that was left was for Chilton to bring the gas-powered Focus home for his second win of the day. He did just that - only to be excluded after the race. Chilton was followed across the line by Onslow-Cole and Shedden. MacDowall finished fourth, O'Neill fifth and Jordan sixth. Tom Boardman ended the race in seventh position, ahead of Steven Kane, David Pinkney and Matt Hamilton.

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