Jackson claims spectacular maiden BTCC victory in crazy reverse grid race
Motorbase Performance's Ollie Jackson has taken a famous maiden British Touring Car Championship race victory after winning a crazy reverse grid finale at Silverstone.
A major shunt involving Motorbase Performance's Rory Butcher meant the reverse race grid was effectively split into two halves after the race was red flagged on lap six following Butcher's heavy shunt.
Following brief contact with the Honda of Matt Neal, Butcher's Ford Focus careered into the barrier at high speed on the approach to Becketts, which pitched the Scot into a somersault before landing back on four-wheels with heavy damage.
Butcher quickly emerged from the wreckage but was taken away by the medical car for precautionary checks.
All of that meant the race was restarted in the order in which the cars crossed the line a lap before the red flag came out, meaning Jackson started from pole position on the restart after the Motorbase driver had already got the better of Team BMW's Tom Oliphant during the first start.
Despite coming under ferocious pressure for the entire race, Jackson somehow held on at the head of the field.
Oliphant had looked to have taken the lead on lap six of the restart, but Jackson immediately fought back on the exit of Copse corner to snatch the lead back by Becketts.
All the while Jackson was absorbing the pressure in the lead of the race, Ash Sutton sensationally catapulted himself into the thick of contention after the Laser Tools Racing driver produced a stunning charge from 26th on the grid.
Sutton had risen to 14th for the restart of the race and quickly scythed his way further up the field. The 2017 champion amazingly ended the 8th lap in third position before finally demoting Team BMW's Oliphant to claim second and move back into the championship lead by six-points ahead of Turkington.
That battle for second meant Jackson could enjoy vital breathing space at the front during the final lap of the race to record a popular maiden win.
More to follow.
