He’s done it! Henley-in-Arden’s Mat Jackson yesterday became a winner in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship when he took the biggest victory of his career in front of a bumper crowd and live ITV cameras for his Jacksons MSport team at the Oulton Park track in Cheshire.

In the third race Mat, driving his family’s privately-run BMW 320si, soaked up huge pressure from SEAT’s championship leader Jason Plato to take his first win in only his fifth meeting in what is Britain’s and one of the World’s premier motor racing series.

His sensational victory was broadcast live on ITV3. From third place on the grid, he’d made the perfect start to dive between front row starters Adam Jones and Darren Turner and into the lead before the first bend. Within four laps he had Plato trying to unsettle him but not once did the 26-year-old put a wheel wrong in his Whale Tankers/Nick Whale-backed BMW as he went on to take the chequered flag.

On his slowing down lap Mat received a standing ovation from the packed spectator banks before arriving back in the pit lane to be greeted by his ecstatic team – including dad Tony (Team Principal) and brother Dan (Team Manager) plus ITV’s Louise Goodman for a live TV interview. Mat then climbed onto the top step of the podium to receive his winner’s trophy and more cheers from the crowd.

His win followed fifth and sixth place finishes in the day’s first two races. His results have established him in a clear seventh in the outright Drivers’ championship and moved him up to second in the Independents table for privateer drivers. Jacksons MSport have also made ground in the outright and Independents teams standings.

Mat, the reigning SEAT Cupra Champion, says: “This is the best feeling of my life. I’m absolutely delighted for everyone in the team, particularly after the restructure we’ve made in the past week, and all our sponsors and supporters. We’ve won in great style, beating one of the most successful drivers in touring car history.

“Jason just never let up. He tried all the tricks, headlights on full beam and on some occasions he got really close. The pressure when I realised he was up into second and chasing me was suddenly a lot bigger. But you have to rise above that and stay calm and not make any mistakes. A couple of times I had to position my car on a defensive line but knew that if I didn’t slip up I had him covered. It was a great fight. He was also very sporting towards me after the race and said some very kind words.”

Mat is already looking forward to his next BTCC race meeting – at his home circuit of Donington Park, just up the M42, on Sunday July 15th.

Mat adds: “It’s important we celebrate this success but more importantly we must build on it and keep the momentum going at Donington Park. We know we can win now and that will lift all of our spirits and confidence. We are the leading single-car team and in our first season in the BTCC that is a fantastic achievement. But this is the BTCC and it is very tough, the pinnacle. The BMW is an awesome car and we’re still learning about it, but I’m sure the fast nature of Donington circuit will put us in a very strong position again. I don’t think any of us can wait.”