Dunfermline Press | Sport | Driver in dreamland after debut season

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 26th October, 2006 12:00

Driver in dreamland after debut season

By by Simon Harris

Print Article

Image related to story, see caption or article text

Pic by: Dunfermline Press

RACE ace Gordon Shedden admitted he was “living the dream” after finishing fourth in the final standings of his debut touring cars season.

It’s been a season to remember for the Dalgety Bay driver, who joined champions Team Halfords at the start of the year for his first crack at tin top action.

His four victories – including a famous double at Donington – is the most wins by anyone in a debut touring cars season and he also finished the campaign with the highest number of fastest race laps with nine.

A second and sixth place in the final session at Silverstone on Sunday saw Shedden finish fourth in the BTCC standings on 204 points, just 37 behind second-placed Jason Plato.

“To be able to compete with, and beat, these guys, I’m loving every minute of it. I’m living the dream,” a satisfied Shedden told Press Sport after Silverstone.

“It’s a lot of pressure to join a championship-winning team and perform straight out of the box. Results have been absolutely fantastic for me and I’ve had a cracking time contributing to Team

Halfords winning the independent trophy drivers’ and teams’ titles.

“Looking back, I’ve had some great results but I’ve had a lot of bad luck as well and if just a few of those incidents hadn’t happened, I had the potential to finish even higher.”

Unsurprisingly, Shedden picked out the Donington races as his season’s highlight.

“To win twice and be on the podium in the third race, especially with everything that went on that weekend, was unbelievable,” he said.

“Although I had won twice before, it was the first time I had effectively dominated a whole weekend and it really set the team up for the second half of the season.”

Asked about a low point, Shedden said, “There’s been a few but I suppose the biggest was being taken out in the first race at Knockhill.

“I had a chance to win that race and it caused quite a lot of damage to the car. It’s very disappointing not to win in front of your home crowd.”

Shedden wants to make up for that next season, hopefully in the Team Halfords car once again.

“Hopefully, it can get sorted out over the next month or so,” he explained.

“Until I put pen to paper it’s up in the air but I’m really happy. I’ve got a great relationship with (team mate and BTCC champion) Matt Neal and all the guys do work as a team.

“We get on really well and that’s contributed to our success. There’s no reason to move at this stage.”