Practice: Thompson on top

"That was all right, but there was a bit of traffic, so we've got a little bit in hand," said the Vauxhall works driver, who is carrying maximum success ballast, at least for qualifying and the first race.

All the best times were set at the end of the second session, when the track dried out fully and Egg Astra man Matt Neal, running 33kg lighter than Thompson all but matched the AUTOSPORT columnist's time, while Yvan Muller in the other works Astra looks to be keeping his powder dry after setting only fourth best time.

The Team Halfords Peugeots and the MGs again look as though they will keep the Vauxhalls honest and Dan Eaves set third fastest time in the 406 Coupe.

"It's the orange paint, it's much, much faster," joked Eaves. "The car's going well though and I'm pleased to see the front of the grid becoming more compact."

Completing a top seven covered by less than half a second were Warren Hughes' MG, Tim Harvey's Peugeot - which the '92 champion beached at Lodge after locking up late in the session - and the impressive Colin Turkington, giving the debut to Team Atomic Kitten MG ZS.

Mark Fullalove topped the BTC Production times in the Techspeed Peugeot 306, but only fractions behind was the returning Gavin Pyper in his Team Dynamics-backed GA Motorsport Alfa 156, with Spencer Marsh's Beacon Motorsport Honda Accord and James Kaye's Synchro Honda Civic Type-R close behind.

Session one was red-flagged early because of barrier damage caused by Tom Boardman's Edenbridge BMW. The 18-year-old (then fastest in BTCP) crashed heavily on the exit of Druids, eventually ending up in the barrier by the Paul Warwick Bridge. Boardman was unhurt, but extensive damage to the BMW means he won't be seen on-track again this weekend. For separate story, click here.


James Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1m28.013s 96.61mph
Matt Neal Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1m28.097s 96.52mph
Dan Eaves Peugeot 406 Coupe 1m28.177s 96.43mph
Yvan Muller Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1m28.247s 96.35mph
Warren Hughes MG ZS 1m28.346s 96.24mph
Tim Harvey Peugeot 406 Coupe 1m28.473s 96.11mph
Colin Turkington MG ZS 1m28.489s 96.09mph
Anthony Reid MG ZS 1m28.876s, 95.67mph
David Leslie Proton Impian 1m29.481s 95.02mph
Tom Chilton Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1m29.925s 94.55mph


Mark Fullalove Peugeot 306 1m34.337s 90.13mph
Gavin Pyper Alfa Romeo 156 1m34.404s 90.07mph
Spencer Marsh Honda Accord 1m34.687s 89.80mph