Mat Jackson will head to Brands Hatch this weekend for the finale of the British Touring Car Championship in contention for the Independents’ Drivers title, albeit with an outside chance.

However, as always in the BTCC, anything can happen over the course of a race weekend and the Redstone Racing squad will be chasing down all available points in its pursuit of the Independents’ Title.

Having already been crowned as 2012 British GT Champions following a nail-biting season closer at Donington Park just three weeks ago, the Motorbase-run squad is hoping for a repeat performance on the iconic GP loop and more than a little home advantage to boost its chances of lifting the Independents’ Trophy on Sunday.

A dramatic penultimate round at Silverstone two weeks ago saw driver Mat Jackson deliver a very special maiden race win for the recently unveiled Redstone Racing NGTC Ford Focus ST. On what was only the Mountune-powered machine’s fourth appearance in the Championship, it was a stunning result for the squad and notably Motorbase’s first ever win as a constructor.

The team celebrations continued as team-mate and Motorsport Ireland’s Young Driver of the Year, Aron Smith, secured his first ever podium in the BTCC with a third place finish in the opening race, followed by two further top ten finishes. Jackson also celebrated another podium visit, picking up the NGTC’s third trophy by taking the second place spot in the final race of the day.

Redstone Racing’s achievements at Silverstone sees the team head to Brands Hatch in high spirits and a strong fighting position to lay claim to the Independent Teams’ Title. Having closed the gap to current leaders Ebay Motors to just ten points, it’s still all to fight for with sixty points up for grabs in Sunday’s three races.

Round 10 of the BTCC featuring races 28, 29 and 30 take place on Sunday 21st October. Live coverage of Sunday’s events will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11.00am – 6pm; with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturday’s qualifying session between 2.55 and 3.25pm.

Redstone Racing Team Manager Oly Collins said:

“After such a great weekend at Silverstone you can’t help but look forward to Brands now. It’s our home race so with it comes a little more expectation and pressure. We’ve learnt a lot with the NGTC car over the past four race meetings and thanks to Mat and the whole team, we can now proudly boast a Motorbase designed and built race winner – so more learning at the final round and hopefully more wins.

“We’ve still been developing the S2000 car and Aron’s results during the second half are showing the car’s and his own development throughout the year. I was disappointed for Liam at Silverstone being on the receiving end of incidents as he has been a few times this year. I hope he gets to enjoy his final BTCC race and all three drivers end the season on a high.

“It will also be interesting to see the top 3 NGTC cars all battle it out on similar boost levels; I was hoping we would all be on the same boost so there would be no excuses!”

Redstone Racing driver Mat Jackson said:

“Silverstone was a great achievement by all of the Redstone Racing team. The first win is always the hardest and now that we have achieved this, we can further improve and hopefully can challenge for more wins in the finale at Brands Hatch this weekend to round off the season with a high.

“We are under no illusion that it will be tough, but we like a challenge!”

Redstone Racing driver Aron Smith said:

“What a year it’s been! It’s all started to fall into place recently so fingers crossed we can end on a high at Brands.

“I’ve loved every second of this year and everyone at Motorbase has made me feel right at home, they feel like my new family… I’ll honestly miss them over the off season!
As always I’ll be fighting to be at the front at Brands, I’ve always loved the GP track because you can really push the car out the back of the track. It’s one of those tracks that I absolutely love, nothing beats launching the car over kerbs and hanging on for dear life. We’ve gotten the car to exactly where I like it so fingers crossed it’ll all go well.”

Redstone Racing driver Liam Griffin said:

“It has been a difficult season for me this year and I would like to try and finish on a bit of high. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and really feel I must be due some!

“The team are in a very strong position having done a fantastic job with the new car and with Aron now very much up on the pace of the front runners. Brands is our home circuit so let’s see if we can’t challenge for the Independents’ title yet!”

Pictures by PSP Images