Mat Jackson's 'brilliant' 2009 season ends

Mon 5th October 2009 Warwickshire’s racing star Mat Jackson bowed out of the 2009 HiQ British Touring Car Championship with a difficult day at Kent’s Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, but described his season as ‘brilliant’.

The Racing Silverline driver’s incredible run of recent success – which has included eight podiums in three events – came to an end on the tricky grand prix circuit layout. Driving an RML-run Chevrolet Lacetti, Mat suffered at the hands of rivals, being knocked into a spin and dropping down the order in the first two races of the day.

After finishing both race one and two in 12th position, Mat put in a great drive in the final encounter and ran as high as sixth position, but dropped down to 11th at the flag after a frenetic battle.

“It seems like the bad luck I was suffering earlier in the year has struck again,” said Mat, who is based in Henley-In-Arden. “I honestly didn’t think my run of podiums would last as long as it did, so I’m not too disappointed. It would have been great to round out the year by picking up some more silverware, but I think my mantelpiece is crowded enough already!”

Mat, who is also backed by Paul Castle Consultancy, Matchthedeal.com, Auto Windscreens and Pinnacle Transportation, finished the season in fifth position in the overall championship standings with 165 points. In the Independents’ trophy, he finished third overall. Contesting nine of the ten events, he took one pole position, four fastest laps and ten podiums – including four victories.

“I’ve had a brilliant season with Racing Silverline,” said the 28-year-old. “Sure, it’s had its highs and lows, but I can take great satisfaction from standing on the podium in over a third of the races I’ve taken part in. The way we have developed as a team throughout the course of the year has been incredible and the Lacetti has been an awesome car to drive.

“Considering I didn’t even take part in the first round – and had my fair share of non-finishes – I’m really happy with the way the year’s turned out,” he added. “Scoring a win on my first weekend driving the Lacetti was definitely a highlight – as was my first trio of podiums, at Knockhill. Now I want to come back for more in 2010!”