Mat Jackson: A confident start

Reigning SEAT Cupra champion Mat Jackson has made the step up to the BTCC this year and first indications are that his family-run BMW could cause quite a stir among the leading pack.

Jackson finished the first race at Brands Hatch in third position, only to be disqualified after failing to respond to a black and orange flag. Undeterred, he quickly bounced back. Starting race two from the pitlane, he climbed up to eighth by the end, before going on to take third in race three – ironically benefiting from the exclusion of SEAT’s Darren Turner.

“It was disappointing to lose third in the first race”, said Jackson “But it’s great to bounce back and come from the pitlane to eighth, and then from eighth to third, it’s good. We had the pace on the guys in front of us in the third race.”

“We’ve had great pace all weekend”, said Jackson. The BM is very strong at the end of the races. BMW build a fantastic car. It’s going to be good.

Jackson’s BMW is a proven piece of kit, having carried Andy Priaulx to the FIA World Touring Car Championship title last season. But it’s not just Priaulx’s car that has helped Jackson find his feet in the BTCC.

“Andy gave me some advice on the grid, and well, cheers Andy, because it worked! He drove the car last year, so he knows it better than anybody else.”

2007 is not Mat Jackson’s first taste of the BTCC. In 2001, he drove a GR Motorsport Ford Focus in the production class, alongside Gareth Howell. For the past few seasons, he has honed his racing skills in the SEAT Cupra Championship, taking the championship in dominant fashion, not to mention scooping a £100,000 prize.

“Touring cars has been our main aim for many years, but the budget up until now hasn’t stretched that far, so to be here is fantastic.”