Mat Jackson left Silverstone feeling frustrated with the driving standards in the British Touring Car Championship, describing the clashes which compromised his race one and two as ‘stupid incidents’.
Jackson was running in fifth position in the first race of the day when contact from Honda’s Matt Neal whilst challenging for fourth ended his charge.
From 24th on the grid for race two, Jackson was caught up in the mid-pack when he was taken out whilst running in 14th position, having just posted the then-fastest lap of the race.
There was small consolation in race three for the Motorbase driver when, from the back of the grid, Jackson was able to make progress to take a points finish in tenth by the chequered flag, despite further contact early in the race.
“Looking at the positives, we’ve had the pace and that’s what makes it even more frustrating,” said Jackson. “We’ve come through in all three races and the Focus has been fantastic – but you just can’t do anything about being taken out.
“The driving standards this weekend have been appalling. Unfortunately, when you get punted off in all three races there’s not a lot you can do, and with the exception of race one, they are just stupid incidents that didn’t need to happen.
“It’s frustrating, there’s a huge amount of effort that goes in to race at this level, what should be the pinnacle of British saloon car racing, and honestly the standards have been shocking.
“We’ll go to Brands hungry for wins as we always do, but at the moment it feels like a privilege to be able to finish on the track.”
Team Principal Dave Bartrum echoed Jackson’s sentiments about driving standards, adding that the need to constantly repair the cars causes the team huge frustration, with Rory Butcher also caught up in on-track incidents.
“Unfortunately this weekend just didn’t go our way at all,” said Bartrum. “In spite of some very questionable driving out on track today, there was also some great close racing.
“Mat had the pace all day and was on fire, sadly some of the others out on track didn’t allow him the chance to get the results he deserved.
“It’s very frustrating for everyone in the team, especially at one of our strongest circuits. We have a bit of a mountain to climb now at Brands Hatch but hopefully our luck will turn and we can end, what has been a tough season, on a high.”