Oulton qualifying: Thommo fights on

In tricky damp conditions, Thompson was over 0.2s quicker than his nearest rival to secure his sixth pole position of the season. While championship leader Yvan Muller was back in fifth - the position he needs to claim the title in the first of tomorrow's races.

MG's Anthony Reid grabbed second on the grid with a solid effort midway through the 20-minute session to demote practice pace-setter Matt Neal to third. Local hero Paul O'Neill lines up fourth for VX Racing.

Rob Collard gave himself the perfect start in the four-way battle for the Independents' Trophy with pole. Title rivals Dan Eaves, Carl Breeze and James Kaye were second, fourth and fifth in class respectively.

Recently crowned Production Class champion Luke Hines continued his strong form with pole, with Barwell team-mate Alan Blencowe in second. Tom Boardman, who has won more races than anyone else in the class this season caused the session to be red flagged briefly when he crashed his Team Varta Peugeot 307 into the barriers at Old Hall.

J Thompson Vauxhall 1m37.260s
A Reid MG 1m37.489s
M Neal Honda 1m37.703s
P O'Neill Vauxhall 1m37.759s
Y Muller Vauxhall 1m37.787s
A Morrison Honda 1m37.897s