Henley-in-Arden's Mat Jackson returns to Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship action at his home circuit of Donington Park this weekend (July 14th/15th) and he's full of confidence after his first victory in the series.
Mat currently lies seventh in the outright championship standings thanks to winning live in front of the ITV cameras at Oulton Park a fortnight ago aboard his family-run Jacksons MSport team's BMW 320si. He is also up to second in the independents drivers championship.
The 26-year-old's continuing success in Britain's premier motor racing championship has attracted another new sponsor to his campaign ahead of Donington namely www.sinks-taps.com who will find a place on Mat's #48 BMW. Now he's looking forward to the journey up the M42 motorway to Donington - a circuit where last year he won both SEAT Cupra races on his way to the title.
Mat's races this Sunday afternoon will be shown live on ITV1 from 2pm-3.30pm.
Mat says: "It's great to see more people getting behind our family team. Their sponsorship makes a real difference to how we approach each race meeting and, ultimately, our results. Our win at Oulton was a great result and there have been so many messages of congratulations and support since.
"Donington is very much our home event and I've got good circuit knowledge around there. The circuit should suit the BMW's characteristics very well. It's a high-speed lay-out and it's through the quick corners and on the straights that the BMW's strengths really come into play.
"Because I'm outside the top five in the championship, my car won't be carrying any success ballast going into qualifying or the first race on Sunday and that could really help us to get our weekend off to a strong start. I want another win of course and the whole team will be working to make that happen. But race day will be very challenging for everyone in the team as the three races all start earlier than normal - the first is at 10am - and the gaps between them are also short."
Mat is among a group of six drivers, headed by third-placed Matt Neal (the reigning champion) covered by just 18 points. With a guaranteed 16 points for a win he senses an opportunity to make further progress up the table.
He adds: "We're now at a stage of the season when all the bigger teams have got to grips with their cars at every meeting the other BMWs, Hondas, SEATs and Vauxhall have all made another improvement and it is becoming increasingly competitive with each race. But I'm only five points off fifth place in the championship and leaving Donington with fifth in the championship and keeping in touch with the leading four has to be a realistic target."
Mat's Donington Park timetable (July 14th-15th): Saturday: 9.40am-10.20am BTCC Practice 1 & 12.20pm-1pm BTCC Practice 2 Saturday: 3.45pm-4.15pm BTCC qualifying Sunday: 10am BTCC round 16 (16 laps) Sunday: 12.45pm BTCC round 17 (16 laps) Sunday: 2.05pm-2.35pm Pit Lane Walkabout/Autograph Session Sunday: 2.50pm BTCC round 18 (16 laps) TV Times (all times provisional): Sunday: ITV1, 2pm-3:30pm LIVE Sunday: Setanta Sports 1, 9am-5.30pm LIVE all-day coverage
