Illness forces Mat Jackson to withdraw

Sun 14th June 2009 A bad bout of food poisoning has caused Mat Jackson to withdraw from the rest of this weekend’s HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting at Croft circuit, near Darlington.

The Warwickshire racer, 28 years-old, battled through the illness yesterday to qualify his RML-run Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti in fifth place. Despite missing the autograph session and drivers parade this morning while the BTCC’s doctor administered a drip, Mat started the first of today’s three races just after midday. Severely weakened, he was running fourth when he spun and hit the barriers.

Mat subsequently took the decision to withdraw from the remaining races while he recovers. “It’s an awful feeling not to be able to take part, but I’m just not well enough to race,” said Mat, who is also backed by Paul Castle Consultancy, Auto Windscreens and Pinnacle Transportation. “I’m sure that both my sponsors and my fans will understand, and I think they’d rather I rested up than go out on track when I’m ill and unable to perform at my best.”