Third-row start at Brands Hatch

Sat 3rd October 2009 Warwickshire’s Mat Jackson will start the first of tomorrow’s three HiQ British Touring Car Championship races from sixth position after today’s qualifying session for the season finale at Kent’s Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

In cool and windy conditions the Racing Silverline driver set a best time of 1m33.618seconds in his RML-run Chevrolet Lacetti on the rarely-used grand prix circuit layout.

“It was a tough session and I think we caught a big gust of wind and it knocked some speed off us,” said Mat, who is based in Henley-In-Arden. “It’s no surprise that two of the three drivers still able to win the championship – including my Racing Silverline team-mate Jason Plato – qualified up front ahead of my Lacetti. Three Vauxhalls are ahead of me, but I’ll be focusing on my own job and trying to come through.”

Mat currently lies fourth overall in the championship standings with 165 points and, while he cannot improve upon this position in tomorrow’s final races, he is still aiming to end the year on a high.

“I’m definitely going out there to add another win to the four I’ve already taken this year,” added the 28-year-old. “I’ve stood on the podium in over a third of the races that I’ve contested this year. It would be great to keep up that consistency and score some results tomorrow when hopefully it won’t be so windy!”