Thompson dominates Croft qualifying

In qualifying for this weekend's two rounds in the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship, no one could do better than Thompson.

Running last in the one-shot showdown, he was more than a tenth quicker than his nearest rival.

That was David Leslie, the Nissan Primera driver anxious to do well since this is also the nearest circuit to the Nissan factory.

His team-mate, championship leader Laurent Aiello, is down in fifth.

Third fastest was Thompson's Honda team-mate, Peter Kox, proving that the WSR Honda team are getting the car thoroughly sorted, to give Thompson a chance of cutting into Aiello's championship lead.

Reigning champion Rickard Rydell was fourth in his Volvo S40, two positions lower than he
managed in the earlier session.

Matt Neal was again the quickest of the Independents, setting a time in his Nissan Primera good enough for sixth overall - until his car failed the ride-height check when he returned to the pits.

That sent him to the back of the grid, leaving Paula Cook to lead the cluster of Independents. She was thirteenth quickest overall in her Honda Accord, ahead of Lee Brookes, in another Honda.