“It’ll be like the M25 on steroids”

Mat Jackson says condensing 26 drivers onto Brands Hatch short 1.2-mile Indy circuit Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship qualifying this Saturday “will be like the M25 on steroids”.

Highly-rated newcomer Jackson believes Saturday’s qualifying session, with 26 drivers all rushing to set their fastest lap times for a decent starting grid on Sunday, will make for frenetic action.

The 25-year-old said: The most difficult part of the weekend could be qualifying when there’ll be 26 drivers trying to set their fastest laps at once. To coin a Murray Walker phrase it’ll be like the M25 on steroids! Qualifying will have a knock-on effect for Sunday so the timing of our qualifying runs will be very important.

Jackson, last year’s SEAT Cupra champion, is stepping up to the BTCC in Andy Priaulx’s 2006 World Touring Car title-winning BMW 320si E90 run by his own Jacksons MSport team. The Henley-in-Arden driver will be out to prove a point against the established stars such as reigning champion Matt Neal (Halfords Honda), 2001 title-winner Jason Plato (SEAT) and Vauxhall’s touring car megastar Fabrizio Giovnardi.

He added: “I won’t be in awe of anyone. I have to treat every driver equally and try to beat them all. I’m not naïve enough to think I’m going to win every race: I’ve got great respect for Neal, Plato and Giovanardi who have been at this game for years and are world class drivers and it will be a great buzz racing against them.

“But I feel confident we can at least give them a run for their money. The BMW is a proven winner on the world stage and it will be interesting to see how the car fares against the SEATs, Hondas and Vauxhalls now it’s on the Dunlop tyres that are used in the BTCC. Certainly its rear-wheel-drive should give it an advantage away from the start. I’m not making any predictions as you just never know, but my aim will be to avoid any silly incidents, score well and come away in the championship hunt.”

Source: www.btcc.net