Gordon Shedden clinches British Touring Car Championship t Brands Hatch

Fifer Gordon Shedden became the latest Scot to fly the Saltire in celebration when he won the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

In treacherous conditions which turned the Kent circuit into a sodden, grey and dank test of driving skill, the 33-year-old from Dalgety Bay delivered a mature and outwardly nerveless display of controlled aggression.

Entering the weekend leading the championship by 15 points ahead of the MG of double champ Jason Plato, and 31 points ahead of his own team-mate and triple champ Matt Neal, Shedden delivered when it mattered. Starting the opening race on the famous 2.4-mile grand prix circuit from seventh, Shedden finished fifth behind race winner Neal. Plato struggled to eighth.

Starting the second race from fifth on the grid, Shedden had increased the advantage over Plato to 18 points. After avoiding a series of first-lap incidents in the ever-worsening wet conditions, the Scot eventually cruised home in second place, sandwiched between Neal in third, and the Ford of first-time winner Aron Smith. But, when his in-car radio crackled into activity halfway round the final lap, as his Honda/Team Dynamics crew tried to tell him the title was his, Shedden refused to believe it.

“They came on the radio and said, ‘that’s enough, we’ve enough points to win the title’,” a shell-shocked Shedden, wiping tears from his eyes, explained. “I asked: Are we sure? Are you really, really sure? And they said ‘yes’. Somehow, after that, I just had to nurse the car across the line.”

Shedden, who finished third in the day’s final race, behind the Toyota of Frank Wrathall, with Neal in second, eventually won the title by 21 points ahead of defending champ Neal.

For Shedden, the title — the first time a Scot has won the BTCC crown since Galashiels’ John Cleland in 1995 — is the culmination of a racing career which has been dedicated to touring cars. “I remember as a kid going to Knockhill and watching John Cleland racing,” Shedden, development director at Knockhill, reflected. “That was my inspiration to start motor racing. It was never about Formula 1, it was always about touring cars. Now, to be BTCC champion? Believe me, it’s going to take some time to sink in.”

One of the first to congratulate him was Cleland, who spent the afternoon gardening at home in between watching the thrilling action on TV. “I’m really pleased for Gordon,” Cleland admitted. “Until now, only two Scots had won the title, me and my hero Jim Clark. But now I’m delighted to welcome Gordon into the club. He’s improved right through the year and he’s been the fastest on track. It’s no coincidence he’s won more races, eight this year, than anyone else. No-one deserves it more than he does.”

Plato was also quick to congratulate Shedden. He said: “Gordon’s driven really well this year. He’s a very worthy champion. I’m really pleased for him, because he deserves it.”

When Shedden parked his Honda Racing Civic in the pitlane after clinching the title, it triggered emotional celebrations. After coming down from the roof of his car, having done a mean Flash Gordon impersonation, the Scot was hugged by his wife, Knockhill managing director Jillian, and team members.