T
he BTCC reconvenes this weekend at Snetterton in Norfolk for the 6th meeting of the year.
The first two practice sessions took place this morning and it was the MG KX Momentum drivers heading the times, Jason Plato in the first session and his team mate Sam Tordoff in the second.
The Hondas are also going well with both the Pirtek and works Honda Yuasa Racing setting times towards the front of the field. Andrew Jordan took an excellent third in the first session. The Toyota teams, especially Speedworks Dave Newsham, look set for a good weekend. Newsham was fourth in both sessions and Adam Morgan took a 5th and a 6th. The Ebay Motors team look like they might struggle to repeat their success from Croft with only Colin Turkington in the top ten, 9th and 7th in the two sessions respectively. Jack Goff is one of the weekend’s biggest improvers so far with a tenth and then a twelveth. Airwaves look set for a better weekend on the first anniversary of the debut of their NGTC Focus with Aron Smith getting a sixth in the first session and Mat Jackson a seventh in the second.
There are several new cars and drivers here. Andy Neate has finally debuted his brand new Team club 44 NGTC Chevrolet Cruze, he had engine issues but managed a best position of twelfth in the first session. Warren Scott has switch from his Seat Leon to an NGTC VW Passat built by Team Hard but run by his own BMR Restart racing team. He also had technical teething trouble and is yet to set a representative time. The other Passat driven by Tom Onslow Cole has a new Black livery but appeared to be having handling issues out on track with some very sideways moments! He ended up with a best of 14th. Rob Holland is back with Team Hard, racing the Vauxhall Insignia vacted by James Cole. He had a best of 21st but hopes to get faster through the weekend.
James Kaye and the AMD Tuning team have swapped their Golf for an Ex works Honda Civic S2000 although it didn’t help him to the quickest Jack sears Trophy time as he only managed a couple of third in class positions. Lea Wood was fastest in the first session before a wiring Loom fire put him out. Liam Griffin was fastest of the Jack Sears trophy runners in the Second session. Wood missed the second session but the team are working on the car and he should be out for Qualifying.
Joe Girling is missing this weekend as he looks at his options for the rest of the year which may include a switch to an NGTC car. The third Motorbase/Addsion Lee Focus NGTC is not racing this weekend either after Michael Caine drove it at Croft.
2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Snetterton – Free Practice 1
1. Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing): +0.0 2. Sam Tordoff (MG KX Momentum Racing): +0.115 3. Andrew Jordan (Pirtek Racing): +0.367 4. Dave Newsham (Speedworks Motorsport): +0.464 5. Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing): +0.509 6. Aron Smith (Airwaves Racing): +0.560 7. Colin Turkington (eBay Motors): +0.745 8. Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing): +0.866 9. Rob Austin (WIX Racing): +1.079 10. Mat Jackson (Airwaves Racing): +1.120 11. Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing): +1.227 12. Jack Goff (RCIB Insurance Racing): +1.245 13. Robert Collard (eBay Motors): +1.508 14. Ollie Jackson (Speedworks Motorsport): +1.770 15. Daniel Welch (Welch Motor sport with Sopp + Sopp): +1.856 16. Tom Onslow-Cole (PPCGB/Kraftwerk Racing): +1.901 17. Nick Foster (eBay Motors): +1.942 18. Will Bratt (WIX Racing): +2.488 19. Jeff Smith (Pirtek Racing): +2.802 20. Andy Neate (Team Club 44): +3.151 21. Lea Wood (Wheel Heaven/Houseman Racing): +3.186 22. Frank Wrathall (Dynojet): +3.460 23. Liam Griffin (Addison Lee Motorbase): +3.830 24. James Kaye (AmDTuning.com): +4.149 25. Robb Holland (RCIB Insurance Racing): +4.724 26. David Nye (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp): +4.731 27. Warren Scott (Team BMR Restart): +10.388
2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Snetterton – Free Practice 2
1. Sam Tordoff (MG KX Momentum Racing): +0.000 2. Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing): +0.241 3. Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing): +0.690 4. Dave Newsham (Speedworks Motorsport): +0.958 5. Andrew Jordan (Pirtek Racing): +1.056 6. Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing): +1.261 7. Mat Jackson (Airwaves Racing): +1.462 8. Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing): +1.672 9. Colin Turkington (eBay Motors): +1.711 10. Jack Goff (RCIB Insurance Racing): +1.729 11. Aron Smith (Airwaves Racing): +1.799 12. Robert Collard (eBay Motors): +1.983 13. Ollie Jackson (Speedworks Motorsport): +2.009 14. Tom Onslow-Cole (PPCGB/Kraftwerk Racing): +2.150 15. Rob Austin (WIX Racing): +2.230 16. Daniel Welch (Welch Motor sport with Sopp + Sopp): +2.408 17. Frank Wrathall (Dynojet): +2.702 18. Will Bratt (WIX Racing): +3.071 19. Jeff Smith (Pirtek Racing): +3.134 20. Nick Foster (eBay Motors): +3.228 21. Robb Holland (RCIB Insurance Racing): +3.953 22. Liam Griffin (Addison Lee Motorbase): +4.330 23. David Nye (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp): +4.342 24. James Kaye (AmDTuning.com): +4.612 25. Andy Neate (Team Club 44): +4.661 26. Lea Wood (Wheel Heaven/Houseman Racing): No time set 27. Warren Scott (Team BMR Restart): No time set
By Marc Waller
