Race 3 report: Plato takes victory after Adam penalty

Sun 5th April 2009 Jason Plato took victory in the final race of the day at Brands Hatch, despite crossing the line in second position. Airwaves BMW’s Jonathan Adam looked to have scored a win on his BTCC debut, but he was handed a four-second penalty following the race after hitting the back of Plato’s Chevrolet at Paddock Hill Bend.

Matt Neal leaves Brands Hatch with the championship lead after taking a win and two third place finishes. Colin Turkington sits in second position in the standings, with Rob Collard third.

Plato got a good start to lead away from pole position, with Adam just behind him around the first lap. As they came into Paddock for the second time, Adam braked later than Plato and hit the back of the Chevrolet before moving through into the lead. Plato pulled off a remarkable save to keep the car on the circuit and lost just a single position in the process. The Lacetti’s rear bumper was left on the track, which brought the safety car out for one lap while it was recovered.

On the same lap as Adam’s clash with Plato, there was also drama for the other Airwaves BMW. Rob Collard passed Stephen Jelley’s Team RAC BMW on the inside at Druids, before pushing him wide as they headed down towards Graham Hill Bend. Jelley, now on the inside line, but some distance back, collected Collard as they took the left-hander, pushing the Airwaves driver across the track and on to the grass. An unfortunate victim was reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi, who was running just behind the pair as they clashed. Despite trying to avoid the incident, the Italian was caught and his Vectra damaged, causing his second DNF of the day.

Following the restart, Adam was able to drive away from Plato at the front, as the Chevrolet’s handling troubles became increasingly evident. But never one to give up a place without a fight, Plato defended doggedly against attacks from behind and remarkably managed to hold on to second position for the remaining 21 laps.

Lying third behind Plato, Gordon Shedden found himself defending in the second half of the race, with Matt Neal, who came through from eighth on the grid, right on his tail. It was another strong performance from Neal, completing an impressive weekend as he took yet another position through Clearways to deprive his former teammate of third.

Neal’s next target was his old foe Jason Plato, but with just four laps to chase him down it looked a tough task. And so it was to prove, as Neal made a move at Clearways, edging in front, before the Chevrolet’s straight line speed took Plato back through. That was to prove Neal’s only chance and Plato held on to second position.

At the chequered flag, Adam was first with Plato second, but their positions were subsequently reversed. Matt Neal finished third, ahead of Colin Turkington in fourth. Gordon Shedden was fifth, while Dan Eaves and Adam Jones finished sixth and seventh completing a points-scoring hat-trick for both Cartridge World drivers on the team’s BTCC debut. Rob Collard, Harry Vaulkhard and Martyn Bell completed the top ten.