BTCC 2015 Newsletter | Half-term report

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Half-term report...

It has been a whirlwind first half to the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Five flat out events have given more than their fair share of thrills and spills, with no fewer than eight different winners already and plenty more drivers in the hunt.

Tweaks to the BTCC regulations have made things even more unpredictable this year â€“ increased success ballast and a slightly different soft Dunlop tyre have given the teams a new challenge, while the grid for race two is now decided by drivers' fastest laps from the opening encounter! All this adds up to great wheel to wheel action and a fascinating second half of the season in prospect...

Keep up to date with all the latest news on btcc.net and on our social media pages!

All of our races are broadcast live on ITV4 HD, with highlights available on the ITV Player. Click here to go to the ITV BTCC website!

The big news so far...

Honda heads the pack... just!

15 races down, 15 to go and it's Honda Yuasa Racing's Gordon Shedden who holds the advantage at the top of the standings. The all-new Honda Civic Type R has been a sensation in its first season, with both Shedden and team-mate Matt Neal scoring wins and podiums. The lead is a slender 10 points over Team BMR's Jason Plato, with Neal sitting third a further 12 points back. Scotsman Shedden has shown remarkable consistency and impressive guile to maximise every opportunity so far, and he's hotly tipped to be right up there fighting for his second BTCC crown.

Plato hunting third title

With Shedden looking for his second title, series stalwart Plato is charging hard to take championship glory for a third time. The VW CC racer suffered some bad luck early on in the campaign with a puncture whilst comfortably in the lead at the Brands Hatch opener, but has been on the podium at every track to date and looks determined to take Team BMR to it's first BTCC triumph. Click here to read Plato's thoughts on 2015 so far.

Motorbase confirms return

Jordan's 3-year deal

Following a half-season sabbatical, the renowned Wrotham-based squad returns to the fray with Mat Jackson and James Cole piloting a brace of Ford Focus machines from Snetterton onwards. Read the full story here.

There has been some great news for Andrew Jordan fans in the summer break, as he recently announced a three-year extension on his sponsorship deal with Pirtek ensuring he'll race in the series until at least the end of 2018!

Nic Hamilton's solid start

Testing 1-2-3

2015 has been a landmark year for many reasons, but one of the biggest stories so far has been the arrival of the first disabled driver to compete in Britain's top series â€“ Nic Hamilton. You can read all about his first day at Croft here.

Series title sponsor and tyre supplier Dunlop has been busy working with the teams testing out a number of potential new compounds that could be run in the BTCC. Returning Motorbase ace Mat Jackson topped the times, read the full report here.

BMW clean sweep

It's been an up and down start to the year for reigning champion West Surrey Racing squad. A sensational first pole of the season for returning triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and a win for Rob Collard in the opening contest were undoubtedly impressive, but the team lacked consistency at Donington Park and Thruxton. Croft, however, was a different story. At a track that undoubtedly suits the BMW 125i M Sport, it was young-gun and new signing for the team Sam Tordoff who grabbed pole position in qualifying, before he, Priaulx and Collard all took victories, making it by far the best day WSR has ever had in the championship. Read the weekend report here!

Cook leads the rookie charge

With the Jack Sears Trophy this year being awarded to the top rookie, the battle of the new faces has been fiercer than ever. One driver has emerged as a clear favourite at the mid-season stage â€“ Power Maxed Racing's Josh Cook. The 2014 Renault UK Clio Cup runner-up has impressed over the first 15 races and was fighting for outright victory with Team BMR's Aron Smith at Donington Park. A big crash at Croft last time out was a bit of a set-back, but the 24-year-old has certainly proved himself as one to watch for the rest of the year. Click here to read the JST story so far.

Half-term report...

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