Shedden is parked on the edge of Touring Car history

Fifer Gordon Shedden bids to join Formula One legend Jim Clark and Galashiels’ John Cleland this weekend by 
becoming only the third Scot to be crowned British Touring Car Champ.

The 33-year-old from Dalgety Bay, who has already won eight times this season, starts Sunday’s final triple-header in the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch leading his Honda Racing team-mate Matt Neal by 31 points.

The biggest threat though to Shedden, pictured below, entering the record books is Oxford’s Jason Plato. The MG driver, and double champ, is just 15 points behind Shedden.

“No matter what way you look at it,” he laughed, “it’s going to be a hell of a tough weekend. I know I’m going to be hounded through all three races by two of the best drivers ever in the BTCC.”

Shedden narrowly missed out on the title 12 months ago when Neal — whose Team Dynamics company prepares the duo’s racing cars — pipped him. Though publicly the mantra was “there were no team orders”, it was always clear that unless Neal suffered mechanical problems the title was his.

This year though Shedden, comfortable with the advantage he has over his team-mate, has allowed himself to consider the reality of winning the title.

“It would mean everything,” he admitted. “My whole racing career has, essentially, been targeted on winning the British Touring Car Championship.

“The initial goal was to get in to touring cars, but now to have the opportunity — and it is an opportunity — to win the BTCC title is incredible.”

Shedden though will start with an immediate disadvantage. While Plato and Neal carry 36kg and 27kg of “success” ballast through qualifying and the opening race, Shedden is lumbered with 45kg.

And while Shedden has three races left of his season, it’s three races which could give him access to one of the most exclusive motorsport clubs in Scotland.