It was a strong end to the season for Halfords Racing with Cataclean at Brands Hatch as they claimed three podium finishes.

Qualifying

Both drivers showed strong pace early in the weekend with the team posting the fastest times in Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2.

In a tight Qualifying session, this impressive pace continued, and Gordon claimed a strong 4th place on the grid. Dan went one place better, narrowly missing out on pole position by less than five hundredths of a second to finish 3rd. It could have been even better but both drivers were hindered on their fastest laps.

Race 1

During the last race weekend at Donington Park, Gordon put in a blistering performance to break the qualifying lap record. He returned to record-breaking ways here, setting a new lap record on the way to a 3rd-place finish.

Meanwhile, Dan had a great start to the race but dropped down the field after taking a tighter line into Paddack Hill Bend, compromising his exit speed. In the end, he had to settle for 5th-place.

Race 2

Race 2 was hard fought and highly competitive with both drivers struggling to make progress through the pack.

However, Dan and Gordon soon settled into a good rhythm before finishing in the same positions as Race 1: Gordon earning his second podium of the day in 3rd with Dan 5th.

Race 3

The final reverse grid of the season saw Dan start from 5th while Gordon was drawn 7th.

A third podium of the day was up for grabs and Dan blitzed through the field with some impressive overtaking. He soon found himself battling for the lead, but couldn’t quite take top spot, claiming an impressive 2nd position. The result capped off a great season for Dan that sees him take home the Jack Sears Trophy.

Gordon struggled to make progress and finished 7th.

Reaction from the drivers

Gordon Shedden: “Another great weekend for me. It is so difficult to overtake here and out the back you lose downforce and grip when you are following too close, so you have to back off.  I’m chuffed, though, to finish the year with two more podiums and more trophies for the cabinet.

“It’s been a bit of a tough season for me in my first year back, but I have been getting my momentum of late and lady luck has been on my side a little more. I’ll go and take a bit of time out now, reflect and relax, and then come back all guns blazing for next year, I can’t wait.”

Dan Rowbottom: “What a race!  I was desperate to end the season on the podium and that final race was just awesome. The car was hooked up, but by the time I came to challenge Ash the car had given its best, so I had to settle for 2nd.

“The first two races were a bit frustrating and once you get stuck in the train, it is very difficult to move forward. But I’ve finished in the top 10 in the Drivers’ Championship and won the Jack Sears Trophy which is just awesome. I’ve proven I can race at the very front of the grid and I’m itching to get back out in the new hybrid-era car and see what we can do in 2022.”

Halfords Racing with Cataclean 2021 BTCC standings

 Overall Drivers’ Championship

  • Gordon Shedden – 6TH
  • Dan Rowbottom – 9TH

Overall Teams’ Championship– 3RD

Independent Drivers’ Championship

  • Gordon Shedden – 5TH
  • Dan Rowbottom – 6TH

Jack Sears Trophy champion – Dan Rowbottom

 Overall driver standings

Position Driver Points
1 Ash SUTTON 357
2 Colin TURKINGTON 306
3 Josh COOK 303
4 Tom INGRAM 300
5 Jake HILL 295
6 Gordon SHEDDEN 251
7 Rory BUTCHER 247
8 Aiden MOFFAT 230
9 Dan ROWBOTTOM 222
10 Senna PROCTOR 206
11 Dan LLOYD 190
12 Stephen JELLEY 174
13 Adam MORGAN 161
14 Jason PLATO 156
15 Chris SMILEY 138
16 Tom OLIPHANT 129
17 Jack GOFF 90
18 Ollie JACKSON 77
19 Tom CHILTON 64
20 Aron TAYLOR-SMITH 33
21 Dan CAMMISH 30
22 Carl BOARDLEY 29
23 Sam OSBORNE 16
24 Sam SMELT 5
25 Jack BUTEL 4
26 Jade EDWARDS 1
27 Jack MITCHELL 0
28 Paul RIVETT 0
29 Jessica HAWKINS 0
30 Nicolas HAMILTON 0
31 Nick HALSTEAD 0
32 Andy NEATE 0
33 Andy WILMOT 0
34 Rick PARFITT 0
35 Glynn GEDDIE 0