Maiden Knockhill Podium For MG

MG landed their first Knockhill podium this weekend as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship went north of the border.

After a frustrating first race, it was race two where the success came for the MG6, as Jason Plato battled his way to a second-placed finish at the Scottish circuit.

The MGs suffered a frustrating first race, despite their successful qualifying session on Saturday.  Sam Tordoff, who started from pole position, looked to be in control of the race, but dropped down to second position shortly before a safety car emerged following an incident involving Colin Turkington.

In the moments after the safety car was released, Tordoff suffered a further blow as his car developed an electrical problem. He resumed the race, but way down the field, eventually finishing in 24th place.

Plato, who started sixth, had to be on top form to keep Mat Jackson and Colin Turkington at bay and benefited from Turkington’s spin late on to earn a fifth place finish.

Plato received a welcome gift early in race two as a first lap incident resulted in both Honda drivers losing places. Gordon Sheddon spun off the track and Matt Neal was handed a drive-through penalty for an earlier infringement. The two-time Champion eventually finished second.

Tordoff, who started the second race from 24th after his frustrations in race one, battled his way up to 18th place.

With an unfavourable reverse grid in race three, Plato finished in 10th, while Tordoff came home in 13th.

The Triple Eight run MG team head to Rockingham in two weeks time, in pursuit of more points to aid their Championship challenges.

Don’t forget, MG Car Club members can buy discounted tickets to the BTCC at Silverstone here!

Photos by Colin Murrell and Aaron Lupton.