Neal makes triumphant BTCC return

The lanky midlander lapped his newly-liveried Egg Vauxhall Astra Coupe in 1m28.028s, two-tenths quicker than Vauxhall works driver James Thompson, who broke a driveshaft at the end of the morning session and only completed 13 laps in the afternoon.

"Obviously I had a couple of problems which meant I only completed a few laps in the afternoon, but overall, I'm actually very happy with the day's testing," said Thompson.

Anthony Reid was third fastest in his MG ZS, which was last year's car featuring 2002-spec suspension. He shared the machine with Warren Hughes, who was second fastest in the morning session before he handed over the controls.

Last year's runner-up Yvan Muller was only fourth quickest, but claimed: "I'm not even looking at the lap times, I'm just concentrating on getting the car to my liking."

Behind Hughes in fifth, BTCC rookie Tom Chilton was an impressive sixth fastest, ahead of the second Egg Vauxhall of Paul O'Neill and his Barwell Motorsport team-mate Aaron Slight.

The Proton squad suffered a difficult first test, with gearbox problems hampering the new Impian's progress. David Leslie was ninth quickest, half a second off the pace of the slowest Astra. The works Honda team failed to show, as they are waiting for new engines.


Matt Neal, Egg Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 1m 28.028s
James Thompson, Works Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 1m 28.207s
Anthony Reid, MG ZS, 1m28.401s
Yvan Muller, Works Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 1m28.405s
Warren Hughes, MG ZS, 1m28.501s
Tom Chilton, Barwell Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 1m28.566s
Paul O'Neill, Egg Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 1m28.706s
Aaron Slight, Barwell Vauxhall Astra Coupe, 1m29.277s
David Leslie, Proton Impian, 1m29.717s
Phil Bennett, Proton Impian, 1m33.258s