Mercedes-Benz became the third manufacturer in three rounds to top the British Touring Car Championship podium, as the Wix Racing A-Class of Adam Morgan took victory in an enthralling final race of the day at Brands Hatch.
Morgan had started the race second on the grid behind the West Surrey Racing BMW of Sam Tordoff, but quickly sliced inside the pole sitter and with his Mercedes on the soft-compound tyre pulled out a gap.
Tordoff was soon joined by his team-mate Jack Goff, and as the race went on they cut the gap to the leader and with three laps to go both cars were on the tail of the Mercedes. But they could not overcome the power of A-Class and Jordan held on for victory, the third different winner of the day.
Fourth place was taken by the Pirtek Racing Motorbase Ford Focus of Andrew Jordan, despite a lap-one scare exiting the first corner when the car was pitched sideways and hit teammate Matt Jackson. The second Focus appeared to have survived the impact but then spun while running behind the safety car as a damaged tyre exploded. Jackson was forced to pit and finished 25th.
The Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda Civics of Matt Neal and race-two winner Gordon Shedden both suffered from the success ballast applied for their strong performances in the earlier races, Neal holding on for fifth spot while Shedden suffered a suspected puncture entering Paddock bend and went off into the tyre wall.
Race one winner Tom Ingram, forced to start from the back of the grid following hi...