Radermecker heads Vauxhall clean sweep

The Belgian, technically number three driver in the team and hired mainly for test and development work, was 0.3s quicker than team-mates Yvan Muller and Jason Plato.

Radermecker is the only one of the trio not now carrying success ballast, but his pace was still impressive for someone who had very little pre-season testing.

'This was only my third proper test in the car and it was great to have some time on the track,' said the ex-British Formula Three and Belgian Procar star.

'If it hadn't rained at the end of the session I could have gone quicker because I feel very confident with the car. It's really good to be at the top and I think I can repeat this in qualifying.'

Matt Neal and Rickard Rydell completed the top five, with Brands Hatch Sprint Race winner Alain Menu only eighth quickest, 0.7s off Radermecker's pace. James Thompson completed just 11 laps and was the slowest of the major players (see separate story.)

Colin Blair was the slowest super touring driver in 11th, ahead of top class B runner Mark Lemmer in the Barwell Honda Integra R.

Rounds three and four take place on the 1.9-mile Donington Park National circuit on Easter Monday.

Leading testing times from Donington Park:

1 V Radermecker Vauxhall Vectra 1m10.789s
2 Y Muller Vauxhall Vectra 1m11.033s
3 J Plato Vauxhall Vectra 1m11.052s
4 M Neal Nissan Primera 1m11.146s
5 R Rydell Ford Mondeo 1m11.260s
6 G Tarquini Honda Accord 1m11.291s
7 A Reid Ford Mondeo 1m11.367s
8 A Menu Ford Mondeo 1m11.489s
9 T Kristensen Honda Accord 1m11.558s
10 J Thompson Honda Accord 1m11.720s