Andrew Jordan’s rise to the highest of the British Touring Automotive Championship had been impressively relentless. All of it actually got here collectively again in 2013, when he secured the title driving a Honda Civic run by the household Group Eurotech. From there his tempo, expertise and recognition with sponsors led to a seat with the WSR-run BMW squad as team-mate to Colin Turkington.
By the beginning of the 2019 season, Jordan, by then a bit older and wiser, was completely positioned to problem for the BTCC crown once more – and have been it not for a catastrophe at Donington, he might simply have taken his second title. As an alternative, a hefty shunt within the opening race, when he was tipped sideways on the Outdated Hairpin after which collected, wrecked his day. Whereas his title rivals have been lining up for race two, Jordan was on his technique to hospital to be checked over. Turkington gained twice that day and Jordan didn’t rating a degree, and he missed the title by two factors within the remaining reckoning.
There was positive to be one other yr, although, and every thing regarded rosy for 2020. Jordan’s long-time backer Pirtek had known as time on its BTCC marketing campaign, however BMW needed him within the vastly efficient 330i and a deal was struck. He needed to carry some cash to the get together, however loyal backers helped conclude the deal. After which the coronavirus struck final March and all of it went mistaken.
With the beginning of the BTCC season delayed for round 4 months, offers have been revisited and Jordan discovered the goalposts transferring. Confronted with a modified deal that left him uncovered to a finances shortfall and the monetary danger of accident harm, he needed to take a deep breath and rethink his plans. A shunt just like the one at Donington in 2019 might wreck Jordan and his household financially. It was a danger he merely couldn’t afford to take, and he needed to step away from the BTCC.
It was a tricky name, for he would certainly have been a first-rate contender for 2020. In a compacted season, Turkington was within the title hunt till the ultimate race when Ash Sutton tigered forward. Jordan watched the season unfold from a distance, but even that wasn’t simple. Jordan and his father, Mike, confronted heavy authorized motion for not having the ability to take up the WSR drive and so they ended up making a big fee to lastly shut the door.
Inevitably the entire saga left a relatively bitter style, however Jordan’s standing as an acknowledged BTCC title contender had prompted different presents for 2020 and once more for this yr. After due consideration, nonetheless, he declined, releasing him up to focus on the Jordan Racing Group’s ever-growing demand for the construct and preparation of historic race automobiles.
Jordan has lengthy beloved the pure driving expertise of racing historics and has starred at Goodwood a number of occasions prior to now when BTCC commitments have allowed. Having a automobile with no downforce and restricted rubber transferring round beneath him is his favorite racing expertise. Constructing and working Lotus Cortinas, Porsche 911s, Lotus Elans and AC Cobras for patrons is on the coronary heart of the Tamworth-based household enterprise, and having Jordan’s driving ability on faucet is an enormous plus for patrons.
