After a difficult meeting a fortnight ago that failed to reward the pace of Andrew Jordan and the Ford Focus, the Pirtek Racing driver is aiming to put Snetterton behind him with three strong performances in this weekends British Touring Car Championship meeting at Knockhill.
2013 champion Jordan makes the journey north to Fife lying 7th in the Drivers championship, some 42 points adrift of current standings leader Rob Collard. With a maximum of 268 points left on the board for a perfect score from hereon in until the finale at Brands Hatch in October, the Midlands-based racer has everything left to fight for in the title run-in.
Jordan’s obvious pace went unrewarded at the triple-header in Norfolk a fortnight ago [30th-31st July], with fifth place in the reverse grid contest the highlight of a weekend typified by contact whilst fighting among the midfield runners and subsequent recovery performances.
Regardless of the setbacks, Jordan insists he heads to the notoriously undulating and challenging 1.27 mile Knockhill circuit this weekend keen to put those smaller points finishes into the wider context of the championship battle, and is aiming to make a return to the podium for the first time since his victory at Thruxton back in May.
“Things haven’t really gone my way in the last couple of meetings but I’ve been able to keep picking up the points that I know will be vital at the end of the season,” commented Jordan.
“Snetterton in particular was tough as we clearly had a quick car, and hopefully we can make the most of it this weekend in Scotland at a circuit where the Focus has been strong in the past.”
He also pointed to the success ballast on his Ford Focus ST, relatively less than it’s closest challengers, as a potential advantage, particularly during the ever-difficult thirty minute qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, which could pay dividends across the weekend.
“The fact I did slip a few places in the overall standings last time out means I carry less success ballast into this weekend, which should work in my favour when it comes to qualifying, particularly on the drag out of the final hairpin.”
“Knockhill is a circuit I love and one that rewards drivers who push to their limit, so I’ll be giving it my all to pick up some strong points and I certainly feel that I should be right in the mix for victories and podiums.”
His experience also came through as he pointed out the rate at which this seasons championship battle, arguably the closest in a number of years, turns on its head and believes he has as good a chance as any at this stage to be crowned the champion in October.
“It’s so close in the title race that a good weekend could see me vault up the standings, and I think we have a great opportunity to make up ground on the guys ahead.”