Jackson: I’d rather be Leading than Chasing.

Mat Jackson has openly admitted that he would rather be in his position as the leader of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship as the season heads into the business end of the season.

Heading to Fife and Knockhill for rounds nineteen, twenty and twenty-one of the season, Jackson tops the standings by eight points from local hero Gordon Shedden – this is the first time than the Henley-in-Arden driver has led the BTCC standings.

“I’d much sooner be going into an event like Knockhill with an eight point championship lead than having to make up ground. It’s a mad-cap kind of circuit that you love and hate at the same time and it’s also in Shedden’s back yard. He always says it’s not an advantage but he always seems to find something else at Knockhill!” said Jackson.

First up for the Airwaves Racing Ford Focus driver is qualifying – he has the additional hurdle of overcoming the maximum success ballast during the two free practice sessions, qualifying and the first of the three races.

Jackson feels that the team and he have hit the front at just the right time – despite the extra 45kgs of ballast he will have to carry in qualifying.

“I think we’ve hit the front at just the right time and although the ballast will hurt us I’m still aiming for the top eight in qualifying” says Mat. “Qualifying hasn’t been our strongest point this season – I’ve actually carried at least 27kgs in my car for the last five qualifying sessions – but we think we’ve pinpointed why and will be looking to put things right in that area. There’s also a high chance of rain at Knockhill and if it is wet then that could help us a bit although I was slightly amused by Tom Chilton who drove this car last year saying he thinks we might struggle this weekend. From someone whose 90 points behind us in the championship it’s nice he cares so much.

The Knockhill races will once again be shown live on ITV 4, ITV4 HD and itv.com/touringcars and Jackson has assured his fans that he won’t alter his driving style, now that he has the lead of the Championship, in his independently run Ford.

“Our goal has to be to come away still near the top as there’s still a long way to go – there are nine more races after this so now isn’t the time to start thinking of titles and settling for safe points finishes. I won’t be changing my style.

“Sure we’re operating on a tight budget compared to the factory Honda and Chevrolet teams but we are where we are totally on merit. There’s no way we’re going to roll over for them just because they’ve got bigger budgets and greater resources and I actually see no reason why we can’t come out of Knockhill even still ahead in the championship.”

Knockhill, at 1.3 Miles is the second shortest lap of the BTCC season but its spectacular layout means that it is one of the drivers’ and fans favourites.  You can watch Jackson during qualifying live on itv.com/touringcars from 3pm until 3.40pm, with qualifying starting at 3.05pm and running until 3.335pm.

Coverage of the latest three rounds of the season on Sunday will be shown on ITV4, ITV4 HD and itv.com/touringcars – from 11am until 6pm, while Knockhill highlights will be broadcast at 17.30 – 19.00 on Tuesday, on ITV4, 2.25am until 3.50am on Thursday, on ITV1 and ITV1 HD and again on ITV4/ITV4 FD at 16.30 until 18.00 next Saturday.