GORDON SHEDDEN has not given up hope of retaining his British Touring Car Championship title despite engine failure costing him points at Knockhill on Sunday.

The Dalgety Bay racer looked on course to narrow the gap on championship leader and Honda team-mate Matt Neal to 10 points after claiming second and third place in the day's opening two races but his title hopes were hit in the final race as his car caught fire with Shedden fifth.

That disappointment for the homecoming champion worsened as Colin Turkington, who was ahead of Shedden in fourth place, was disqualified from the final race after it was found that his car had exceeded the maximum boost allowance which would have seen Shedden claim fourth place.

His engine woes allowed Neal to take advantage as he claimed second and now holds a 27-point lead over 'Flash' with only three rounds remaining.

But the 34-year-old won't give up without a fight, and told Press Sport, "The engine let go and was quite spectacular but it's never happened in the past and is disappointing. But that's motorsport for you and is just one of those things - it shows we pushed the car quite close to its maximum.

"I've had some bad luck but I've always said that I'd take luck over talent any day. I just hope that it's my turn to get some luck and we'll keep on going into the next race."

Sunday's seventh round of the championship marked a first race at his home circuit for Shedden since he claimed his maiden title last year and thousands of fans turned out to watch the action.

Philosophical Shedden has already turned his attention to the next round at Rockingham next month and will take confidence from his performance there last year.

He said, "I was disappointed in the final race on Sunday with the fact that it was lost points more than the fact that it was at my home circuit. But I had a couple of wins at Rockingham last year and there was changeable weather, which could help if it was the case this year.

"When your luck's out, it's out but it's never over until it's over. There are nine races left and it's going to be tough but we'll give it everything until the end of the season and we'll see where it takes us."

The next round of the British Touring Car Championship will take place at Rockingham, Northamptonshire on 15th September.