MAT JACKSON showed early season promise in the British Touring Car Championship with eighth and fifth placed finishes in Sunday’s opening meeting of the season at Brands Hatch.
The Henley star began race one 14th on the grid and worked his way through the field to finish eighth in his Team Shredded Wheat Racing With DUO Ford Focus.
After starting race two from the same position, the 35-year-old ended up stealing sixth place on the line and was then promoted to fifth following the disqualification of Evesham’s Rob Austin for a yellow flag infringement.
Jackson began the final race fourth on the grid and eyeing a podium spot, but disaster struck on the opening lap as he ended up in the gravel after going around the outside of Tom Chilton and making slight contact with the Vauxhall Astra.
However, he showed all his battling qualities to fight back from 22nd place to 13th on the 1.27-mile Indy circuit and provide evidence of both driver and car potential for the campaign.
The championship continues at Donington Park on April 15/16.
