Highs and lows for Mat Jackson in Norfolk

Mon 3rd August 2009 Warwickshire racing star Mat Jackson was back on the podium in the first of yesterday’s HiQ British Touring Car Championship races at Snetterton, but technical problems prevented him from competing for podiums in the next two.

The Racing Silverline driver was seventh fastest in his RML-run Chevrolet Lacetti during Saturday’s qualifying session at the Norfolk circuit and made a big leap up the order to claim a podium spot in race one on Sunday. It was a great performance as the team had announced a new sponsor over the weekend, Matchthedeal.com

“There was a lot of argy bargy going on up ahead,” said Mat, who is based in Henley-In-Arden. “It’s all about keeping your nose clean and I managed to do that. The Chevrolet had so much speed around Snetterton and with those two long straights it was great fun to drive. I wasn’t going to be satisfied with a seventh-place finish so I went flat-out for that silverware and got it.”

Mat’s charge was halted, however, when technical issues struck in the afternoon. A gearbox gremlin scuppered race two and a steering issue meant he failed to start race three. “Race two was particularly gutting,” said the 28-year-old. “I was running in second and set for another top result. But that’s racing. You just pick yourself up and look forward to the next round. I’ll be concentrating on the positives: the Chevrolet is one of the quickest cars out there and we know what we can do when everything is running smoothly.”