BTCC – Aron Smith wins an entertaining race three at Snetterton

close racing  (photo by Marc Waller)Aron Smith has won a dramatic race three in the BTCC at Snetterton. After starting from pole after the reverse grid draw, Smith was never headed but he was chased all the way home by Mat Jackson.

Initially Fabrizio Giovanardi ran second behind Smith but eventually Jackson got past. Giovanardi’s race then fell apart on the last lap as he slid off at the bombhole, he thenwas hit by Collard as he recovered which spun him round. He eventually finished down in thirteenth.

The rest of the field had a fierce battle with Turkington Plato, Shedden, Collard, Tordoff and Morgan all battling for for what became third. Morgan had run fourth behind Smith and the two Airwaves cars initially but he fell down the order eventually taking eighth at the rear of the train. Matt Neal was first past but Turkington was next and he then went past Neal too to run fourth which became a podium when Giovanardi went off. Neal had been knocked as Turkington went through and the resulting off, dropped him down the field to take eleventh.

close racing  (photo by Marc Waller)Aron crosses the line (photo by Marc Waller)Aron Celebrates (photo by Marc Waller)Plato fought his way from eighth to finish fourth behind Turkington at the flag. Shedden was fifth with Collard behind him in sixth despite his late brush with Giovanardi. Tordoff took seventh with Morgan remaining in eighth after his earlier drop from fourth. Hynes and Goff took the final top ten positions.

The remaining points finishers were Geddie, Giovanardi (after his last lap problem) Menu and Newsham. Lea Wood had an early battle with Newsham but they made contact at Murrays, sending Wood into a spin.

Full results are on TSL Timing
 
Turkington has increased his championship lead over Shedden with his three podium to23 points with Plato gaining on Shedden a further 33 behind.

The BTCC now heads to Knockhill in Scotland over the August bank Holiday weekend. Turkington went well there last year so Plato will need to be on top form again to try and continue to catch him in the championship. But it’s second place man Shedden’s home track so he’ll have a great chance of narrowing the gap to Turkington himself. Jordan will be hoping to bounce back with a win or two after his nightmare weekend in Norfolk. By Marc Waller

Podium (photo by Marc Waller) Champagne battle (photo by Marc Waller)

Written by