Photo: PSP Images

Frank Wrathall takes maiden victory at Brands Hatch

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Frank Wrathall took his first victory in the BTCC in his second season of racing, and the first win for Toyota since the manufacturers’ return to the championship at Brands Hatch, ahead of a trio of Hondas, who wrap up the teams’ and manufacturers’ titles.

Two cars were unable to make the start, as Aaron Williamson’s Team HARD Honda Civic and Adam Morgan’s Speedworks Toyota Avensis had sustained too much damage in race two. Also involved in that incident was Triple Eight’s Andy Neate, who pitted with a mechanical problem at the end of the formation lap.

At the start of the race, Dynojet Racing driver Frank Wrathall got a lot of wheelspin at the start from his second place on the grid, but was able to close the door on Jason Plato’s MG who was trying to charge down the inside into Paddock Hill bend and keep second.

Mat Jackson led the way early on from pole in his Motorbase Performance Ford Focus, whilst the Hondas of Matt Neal, Gordon Shedden and Andrew Jordan were able to work their way ahead of Plato who was struggling in the conditions.

Plato continued to slip down the order, being passed by Team ES Racing’s Vauxhall and Rob Austin’s Audi A4, but was able to hold off Lea Wood’s JWT Performance Vauxhall for eighth place.

Mat Jackson was forced to retire with a throttle failure, which handed Wrathall the lead, which the young 25-year-old was able to extend to almost seven seconds over Matt Neal’s Honda by the end of the race, and take his first career win in the BTCC.

Neal’s second place with Plato finishing eighth assures Neal of second place in the drivers’ standings, whilst Honda Racing and Team Dynamics also are now confirmed as the manufacturers’ and teams’ title winners.

Eurotech Racing also secured the independent teams’ championship for the first time, to go with driver Andrew Jordan’s independent drivers’ title which he secured in race two.

The next race will be at Brands Hatch again, on Sunday 31st March 2013 at the start of the 2013 British Touring Car Championship season.