Free practice 2: Muller takes over at the top

Muller lapped in 49.013s, just 0.014s faster than factory team mate Jason Plato, as Vauxhall dominated the session, which was held in dry but cold conditions.

James Thompson was third quickest in his Team Egg Sport Vauxhall, which is run by the same Triple Eight team as the works cars and overseen by former Williams GP team manager Ian Harrison. Thompson was six-tenths quicker than team mate Phil Bennett.

"I've only had a couple of half days in the car, so I need all the mileage I can get," said Thompson. "The cars are really good fun to drive, and I've got exactly the same kit as the factory guys, so qualifying should be interesting."

Matt Neal led the Peugeot challenge in fifth place, but was over a second slower than Muller in his 406 Coupe. Team mates Steve Soper and Dan Eaves were next up.

Dave Pinkney was the only non-works to hit the track in his JSM-run Alfa Romeo, which made its track debut this morning. He was 8secs off the pace.

The Lexus IS200 of Kurt Luby won't run today, as the car isn't quite ready, but is expected to turn a wheel for the first time tomorrow.

Roger Moen headed the Production class in his Peugeot 306, just 0.011s ahead of Mat Jackson's Ford Focus, which was 0.003s faster than the Honda Accord of James Kaye. Gavin Pyper was just 0.065secs slower than the fastest time in his Alfa Romeo, but that was only good enough for fourth.

Qualifying begins at 14.30 GMT and keep up-to-date with all the news from the BTCC paddock with Autosport.com


1 Yvan Muller, works Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 49.013s
2 Jason Plato, works Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 49.027s
3 James Thompson, Egg Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 49.133s
4 Phil Bennett, Egg Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 49.743s
5 Matt Neal, works Peugeot 406 Coupe, 49.955s
6 Steve Soper, works Peugeot 406 Coupe, 50.193s
7 Dan Eaves, works Peugeot 406 Coupe, 50.499s
8 Dave Pinkney, JSM Alfa Romeo 147, 57.465s


1 Roger Moen, Peugeot 306, 52.171s
2 Mat Jackson, Ford Focus, 52.182s
3 James Kaye, Honda Accord, 52.185s
4 Gavin Pyper, Alfa Romeo 156, 52.236s
5 Peter Cate, Honda Accord, 52.398s
6 Paul O'Neill, Peugeot 306, 52.631s