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Tyres  /  Tyre NewsPerformance Tyres  /  Gordon Shedden Q&A

Exclusive Q&A with Gordon Shedden: What makes a three-time BTCC champion?

Gordon Shedden next to his Toyota touring car.

With 53 wins and 139 podiums to his name, Gordon Shedden is one of the BTCC’s greatest home-grown talents. We find out where it all began.

Since 1958, the BTCC — or British Saloon Car Championship, as it was then known — has enjoyed great popularity for several reasons. There’s a diverse array of cars, constant bumper-to-bumper action and, of course, fiercely competitive drivers who make it all possible.

Few can claim to have reached Gordon Shedden’s heights, though. As one of the most successful drivers of the modern era, he holds the most wins of any racer on the current BTCC grid. But how did he reach the top of his game? 

Fresh from his latest victory at Oulton Park, we caught up with him to find out more about the man beneath the helmet. From his first set of wheels to his favourite moments in the hot seat, here’s everything you didn’t know about ‘Flash’.

Q: Tell me about your earliest motoring memories. What sparked your passion for cars and racing?

A: “I mean, I think I was just that kid who always had pictures and posters of cars on his bedroom walls. It was pretty standard in the ‘80s, you know. Cars like your Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Countach, that type of thing. So that’s sort of where my initial interest began, but I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d race any sort of car, let alone a touring car — and win!  

I remember going with my Dad for the first time to watch a BTCC race at Knockhill in 1994. I was mesmerised. I was clawing at the fence, absolutely absorbed in everything that unfolded in front of me. I think that’s where the passion for racing started. I also clearly remember queuing up in the pits, waiting to get autographs and posters signed by the drivers. So yeah, that’s where it all began, with no plan, one weekend at Knockhill…” 

Q: Did you get your racing licence before your road licence?

A: “Yeah. I actually had a racing licence pretty early on, because in the UK you can race cars at 16 years old rather than 17 for a road licence. So I was basically ready for the road test when it came along. I did have about four lessons or something, just to kind of go through the motions of how to pass the test, but I think I passed about a week after my 17th birthday. 

I still remember that sense of freedom as I drove about in my Mum’s beaten up old Mini Metro. In fact, I passed my test at 9:30 in the morning and then drove it to Oban that afternoon for an ice cream, just because I could.”
 
Ford Fiesta XR2 MK2
Gordon’s first racer was a track-ready version of Ford’s MK2 Fiesta XR2. Image credit:  Belogorodov - stock.adobe.com

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Q: What was the first car you owned?

A: “Obviously the Metro was borrowed from Mum, but when it came time to get a car of my own, it was really just anything I could lay my hands on. It wasn’t like nowadays where all the kids are running about in brand new cars. Back then, the Vauxhall Nova SR was the hatch everyone aspired to, but that was a little bit out of my league. So, after a few years and with a couple of grand saved up, I ended up with a Citroen AX GT.  

It was a little 1400 cc pocket rocket. A little bit left field compared to the Novas and Golfs most people were kicking about in, but what a car it was. It weighed about the same as a six pack of Irn Bru and it went really well.”

Q: How did the Citroen compare to your first racing car?

A: “To be fair, one of the first cars I ever raced was a little Fiesta XR2 — you know, the little 1600 cc one? That was a one-make series at Knockhill which was really, really strong back then. There were 30 cars, and they weren’t the newest things in the world. But it was a great introduction to motorsport. They didn’t have a huge amount of power, slick tyres, wings, or anything like that. It was just about hanging on and getting as much out of them as you could.”

Q: What’s your dream three car garage, and why?

A: “Oh geez, that’s a tough one. I think I’d probably mix it up a bit. Going back to those posters on my wall, I’d need to have an F40 in there somewhere. Not saying it’s the most practical or cheapest thing in the world, but it is an icon of a car. 

Then, I think I’d have to go for something really old school, like a Lotus Cortina. You need that classic element in your three-car garage, and I’ve been lucky enough to race quite a few of them at Goodwood, so I know how they drive. For me that’s another iconic car, as back in the ‘60s Jim Clark (the F1 driver) also raced in the BTCC and won in a Cortina. 

And for my third… I’m actually not sure I could pick between something like a 911 GT3 or a van. I’m not super precious, you know. Just a nice mix and maybe a couple of bikes in there for when the sun shines.”
 
Ferrari F40
We think Ferrari's F40 is a worthy inclusion in any dream garage.  Image credit:  VanderWolf Images - stock.adobe.com

Q: Do you have a favourite track?   

A: “Everyone expects me to say Knockhill as that’s where I spend all my days, and it is an incredible place. Just look at the number of people who have come through the gates, you know, Scottish drivers and riders, who have all made it in racing. It’s certainly played a huge part in Scottish motoring history. 

So yeah, Knockhill is one of them. But, if we’re going a little further afield, I’d probably go to the other side of the world to Australia. The track is called Bathurst and it’s a little like Knockhill on steroids. You have to go three hours inland from Sydney and it’s in the Blue Mountains. It’s got some massive undulation, is super fast, super committed, and it’s just one of those tracks you could never go and design today from scratch. It is kind of there from grandfather rights, and rightly so.”

Q: Tell me about your most memorable moment behind the wheel. Was it on the road or racetrack?  

A: “All three of my drives to win the British Touring Car Championship were unbelievably special in very different ways, so it’s hard to choose. They were all in totally different circumstances. That said, you always hope the next big moment is going to be the most memorable”.

Gordon Shedden in racing helmet
When the visor goes down, Gordon's in the zone.

Q: Do you think racing skills are transferable to road driving? Are there any driving tips you would give new drivers or racers? 

A: “Yes, the skills are absolutely transferable. You’ve got to take the speed out of it for road driving, of course, but both are all about control and planning. Generally, people fall off on the road because they’re not paying attention or planning far enough ahead, and that’s exactly what you don’t want to do in a racing car. We’re always thinking miles ahead about the next corner and how to find the best way around.

I often joke that if somebody put a sat nav or stereo in a race car and told us to start tuning or programming it, there’s no way we could maintain enough concentration to stay on the circuit. So yeah, I think getting rid of distractions on the road would leave people in a much better place.”

Q: Back to the BTCC, which era is your favourite?

A: “I’m not sure I have one favourite era. Everyone waxes lyrical about different eras of touring car, but they’ve all got their strengths. Whether that’s Jim Clark winning in the ‘60s, the Sierra RS500 years, the massive horsepower and limited grip of the ‘80s, the super touring ‘90s, or even the current generation. They’re all good for different reasons. 

But one thing’s for sure: it’s always spectacular and packed with action. That’s why the BTCC has been so popular for so many years.”

Honda Civic BTCC car
Gordon's old Honda Yuasa Racing Civic was one of his most iconic racers.Image credit:  Matt Billings (Billowbee)

Q: Can you tell me about the role tyres play in winning titles?

A: “Whether you’ve got 100 horsepower or 1000, tyres are everything. They’re the only thing attaching you to the road, in every form of motorsport. So all we drivers talk about is how to work and look after them better.

As a technology, they’re incredible. The stress they’re under during a race is immense and, from our point of view, it’s all about making sure they go the distance. It’s pointless having the fastest car on the track if the tyres are toast after five laps. Working out how to not overstress them, is one key to winning races.”

Q: How have tyres evolved since you first started racing? 

A: “They’ve evolved massively in a very short window. That’s really apparent when we race at Goodwood on cross plys and there is absolutely no grip whatsoever — you sometimes wonder if there’s even a tyre on the car, or if you’re just running straight on the wheel! Each decade since the ‘60s saw a huge transformation, though. The modern cars are much safer because of their far stickier rubber, and this technology filters down to road cars, too.”

Gordon Shedden Q&A article header
After a brief hiatus from the sport, Gordon's back on winning form. 

Q: Finally, are you hopeful for a victory on home turf in 2025’s Knockhill BTCC race? 

A: “It's always the aim, wherever we go! It’s my first year with Toyota and this team, and it always takes a bit of time to get sorted out. I’m not saying it’s like-for-like by any means, but you’ve only got to look at Formula One and how Lewis Hamilton is struggling a little bit at Ferrari, to understand. That’s not because anyone is doing anything wrong, it just takes a while to adapt to the new setting and optimise each individual thing.

But going to Knockhill always gives me an extra spring in my step. The Scottish crowds are incredible and they’re so close to the action. The place is going to be absolutely jumping this August, so a victory is the goal for sure. It’s what we’re working day and night for.”

Can Gordon take the title at Knockhill? Only time will tell. In the meantime, though, if you’re hungry for more Shedden action, head over to DriverReviews.com for his latest new car reviews.

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