Mat Jackson takes pole at Silverstone

Sat 29th August 2009 Warwickshire’s Mat Jackson smashed the pole lap record at Silverstone today to claim the top spot for the first of tomorrow’s three HiQ British Touring Car Championship races.

The Racing Silverline driver set the fastest time of 1m00.259 seconds in his Chevrolet Lacetti, over two tenths clear of his nearest rival. It was enough to beat the BTCC’s lap record at the famous Northamptonshire circuit, which had stood since 2005.

“It’s mega,” he said. “I’ve not set pole in qualifying since the first round of 2008. Although I suppose you could say I had pole position sitting on my sofa at home this year when I missed round one! Obviously the car is no slouch around Silverstone and the team have worked hard on the set-ups. Pole is the best place to start, but we’ve got a BMW next to us which could pose a problem off the line. But over a race distance we’re definitely looking strong.”

Last year Mat, who is based in Henley-In-Arden, had a sensational weekend at Silverstone, taking a win from thirteenth on the grid and a second place from fourteenth at the start, and hopes to have similar success tomorrow.

“Thankfully I am going to be starting a bit further up the grid this year so it should be a little easier,” he said. “A fortnight ago at Knockhill I scored a first, second and third in the three races so I’m confident I can wring the best out of the Lacetti. It’s just been about getting back into the front-wheel drive stuff after two years of driving a BMW, but it’s great to get my first pole in the Lacetti.”