Tarquini rocks in Donington test
Gabriele Tarquini was fastest in official testing on the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit today (Thurday), as the BTCC teams prepare for rounds 17 and 18 at the Derbyshire track this weekend
The Italian Honda driver's time fastest time was 1m35.654s, just two tenths quicker than second placed man Rickard Rydell's Ford Mondeo. Tom Kristensen's Honda Accord rounded off the top three with a time of 1m36.172s.
"Last time we raced here on the shorter track the car was quite good, so we decided to come back with the same set-up," said Tarquini after the test, "and on the Grand Prix circuit it worked well.
"I have no success ballast on the car this weekend," he added, "so I have a good chance to score some podium finishes. I'm not in the hunt for the championship now and it will be easier for me to free my mind and go for the win."
David Leslie, who returns to the series in PRO Motorsport's independent Nissan Primera, finished the day 10th overall.
Top 10 Times
1 G Tarquini, Honda Accord 1m35.954s
2 R Rydell, Ford Mondeo 1m36.172s
3 T Kristensen, Honda Accord 1m36.514s
4 A Reid, Ford Mondeo 1m36.520s
5 J Plato, Vauxhall Cavalier 1m36.668s
6 A Menu, Ford Mondeo 1m36.675s
7 J Thompson, Honda Accord 1m36.724s
8 M Neal, Nissan Primera 1m36.784s
9 Y Muller, Vauxhall Vectra 1m37.060s
10 D Leslie, Nissan Primera 1m37.168s
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