British Touring Car Champion Gordon Shedden is expecting an even tougher challenge as he tries to take his fourth title this year.
Though he expects the same teams to be running at the top of the field, the Scot said you never quite know what’s going to happen in touring cars, and he believes there are a few more drivers with wins coming this season.
“I think it will be harder,” he told Overtake Motorsport. “Everyone has a bit more experience with the rules. But we can’t worry about what anyone else does. All we can do is the best job that we can.”
Both he and teammate Matt Neal will be battling for their fourth title this year and, whilst four titles is a massive achievement, Shedden will be fighting for something even rarer this year.
“It’s almost 30 years ago that Andy Rouse went and won three championships back to back, so that’s got to be the aim for this year,” Shedden said. “That’s the goal. Whether it happens or not, time will tell, but my motivation’s as strong as ever to go try and win again.
“[Neal’s] obviously desperate to win that fourth championship. For me, I’d love to do the same as well. I’ve got a few more years on my side, hopefully. The competition’s fierce, but friendly. If we can get one of those cars across the line first, then job done as far as Honda’s concerned.”
The competition this season won’t only come from his teammate. Shedden was one of eight drivers who headed to Brands Hatch with a mathematical chance at winning the title, and he expects a similar fight this season.
“The BMW looks good. Realistically, they probably should have won last year. We just nicked it off them at the death. The Subaru now, with a year under its belt, should be ok. The Fords were there, the Mercs looked quite good. And that’s the beauty of touring car racing. You just never know where the competition is going to come from next.
“We’ll get some new winners again this year. Perhaps some of the race winners from last year will take another step forward, perhaps become championship challengers. And I’m sure we’ll have the same suspects in with a chance of winning at the end.”
Feature image credit: Caroline Rhea
