Currently reading: BTCC 2019: Jordan continues BMW's strong form

BMW 3 Series driver bounces back from Donington Park accident with double victory at Thruxton

Andrew Jordan continued the strong start to the season for the new BMW 3 Series with a double victory in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton, staging a remarkable comeback after being hospitalised in a heavy accident in the previous round.

The WSR BMW Pirtek Racing driver was involved in a heavy crash in the opening race at Donington Park that ruled him out for the remainder of the day, but was right back on form in Hampshire. But despite a pair of wins, it wasn’t a perfect weekend for Jordan, as a clash dropped him well down the order in the final race of the day.

BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R driver Josh Cook took a commanding win in that event to strengthen his championship bid.

The ultra-fast Thruxton circuit has not traditionally suited rear-wheel-drive cars such as the BMW, but Jordan qualified third in his 330i M Sport, and vaulted into second at the start of the opening race. He then battled past pole-sitter Sam Tordoff’s Civic Type-R midway through the race, taking a clear victory. 

Dan Cammish finished third in his works Civic Type R, ahead of WSR Team BMW driver Colin Turkington.

Turkington, who had taken a double victory at Donington, made a great start of his own in race two to jump into second. He pressured Jordan for much of the race, but eventually settled for second.Cammish moved past Tordoff into third and briefly closed in on the two BMWs, but fell back near the end as light rain began to fall. Jason Plato took fourth in his Vauxhall Astra, ahead of Matt Neal (Civic Type R) and Tordoff.

Ash Sutton finished 11th in his Subaru Levorg, and was then drawn on pole for the reverse-grid final race. But in damp conditions Cook made a strong start, and squeezed past the Subaru at the first chicane to take the lead. He then survived two safety car periods to take his second race win of the year.

Rory Butcher fought his way past Sutton with a bold move at the daunting Church corner to take second in his Civic Type R, a result that put him into a tie for the championship lead with Turkington, who claimed ninth.

Jordan’s day didn’t end so well, as he was pitched into a spin mid-race, finishing 17th.

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Turkington and Butcher both have 102 points, with Cook just two points behind them, and Sutton three further back.

The next BTCC round is at Croft in Yorkshire in June 16.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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dawnbean 20 May 2019

It is an awesome article

It is an awesome article because you gave the nice information about the race which was very interested to see. The details which you shared here about the racing and its tips are very useful for the racers. I will share it with my friends. Most of the people are like to spend time with the pets. Get more about the breeds of dogs here.

Peter Cavellini 19 May 2019

Makes F1......?

 No,but seriously, the support races were great, Ginetta, Mini (pre 1970) Formula Ford, even the BTCC Races were good.

Peter Cavellini 19 May 2019

Makes F1......?

 No,but seriously, the support races were great, Ginetta, Mini (pre 1970) Formula Ford, even the BTCC Races were good.