Today for Throwback Thursday we go back to the 2013 season opener at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
Qualifying
The first qualifying session of the 2013 season started with cold conditions, with multiple incidents affecting proceedings as drivers struggled for tyre temperature.
Eventually it was Andrew Jordan who took the first pole position of the year in his Honda Civic.
Jordan’s time was not bettered due to a unexpected snow shower hitting the circuit at the end of the session.
Round 1
Race 1 of the 2013 season started spectacularly seeing an epic battle between pole sitter Andrew Jordan, Jason Plato in the MG6 and Rob Austin in the Audi A4 who, after holding the early lead, was passed by Plato and then Jordan.
The battle between Plato and Jordan carried on throughout the race and it came to a head on the final lap.
Jordan made a move in Clearways putting both himself and Plato into the gravel, both were able to get out of the gravel with Plato crossing the line as the winner and Jordan taking second.
Austin rounded off the podium, taking just his second podium of his career.
Round 2
Plato doubled up in race 2, with Jordan again finishing second.
After a poor race 1, the Honda Civic of Gordon Shedden was able to get to the podium by finishing third
However, Shedden was disqualified post-race for a ride height infringement meaning Jordan’s team mate, Jeff Smith, inherited his first and only BTCC podium.
Round 3
Mat Jackson took reverse grid pole in his Ford Focus, with Adam Morgan’s Toyota Avensis joining him on the front row.
Jackson led off the line from Morgan however this was not to last long.
On the second lap, Dave Newsham, in the Toyota Avensis, half-spun on his way through Paddock Hill Bend which took him into the path of the unlucky Austin.
Austin clipped the side of the Toyota and Austin spun on the grass and crashed into the tyre barrier, destroying one side of the car with the Audi eventually stopping in the middle of the track just before Druids.
After the inevitable Safety Car period Matt Neal, in a Honda Civic, was able to take the lead from Jackson and he held on to the lead until the end.
Shedden had a storming race as he came from the back of the grid to take second spot with MG’s Sam Tordoff taking his first BTCC podium in third.
Feature Image Credit: KentOnline.co.uk
