MG Kx Tesco Fuel Save driver Jason Plato has started the season in the best possible way at Brands Hatch, taking the fastest time in the first practice session.
29 cars ran in the session with the Proton Of Ollie Jackson failing the noise test. His Team mate Dan Welch is unable to race as a parts supply issue has prevented the his car being completed in time.
Mat Jackson headed the times early in the session before being beaten by Andrew Jordan who headed the session as a red flag came out due to an incident in the pitlane for one of the Ebay motors team staff.
The fastest times came as the session restarted with Plato’s fastest time of 48.354. Colin Turkington was second in his Ebay Motors BMW. Andrew Jordan remained third just two tenths off the fastest time with 48.557. Fourth was Matt Neal in the first of the new Honda Civic Tourers. Adam Morgan was next, impressing in his Wix Racing Mercedes A class in It’s first BTCC race meeting. Sixth was Aron Smith beating his more experienced team mate Alain Menu who was tenth although he had been as high as fourth before the red flag came out. Turkington’s team Ebay team mate Rob Collard was seventh with eighth being taken by Plato’s team mate Tordoff. Ninth was Gordon Shedden, edging out Menu by 1 thousandth of a second.
The whole field is close with the top 22 being split by a single second. Giovanardi didn’t have a good first session on his return taking only 16th behind his team mate Mat Jackson. The team looked to be having some issues with the Focus with Giovanardi late out and both cars visiting the pits on several occasions.
Lea Wood was running his new Avensis for the first time and took 27th place. Chris Stockton had the hardest time of the cars running with his car not able to complete a flying lap. It’s hoped Ollie Jackson’s noise issues will be solved for later in the day. by Marc Waller
