Photo: PSP Images

Josh Cook leads incident-packed second practice at wet Brands Hatch

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Triple Eight Racing’s Josh Cook topped the times with a last-gasp lap in second practice at a wet Brands Hatch, with the session interrupted three times by red flags.

Cook set a best time of 1.43.790 in his MG 6 GT as the chequered flag flew, completing a clean sweep of practice success after also heading the first session this morning.

He pipped title contender Motorbase Performance’s Mat Jackson by 0.267, with Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram in third ahead of the second of the championship challengers, Team Dynamics’ Gordon Shedden.

Team BKR’s Aron Smith was fifth ahead of Cook’s team-mate Ash Sutton, with Andrew Jordan, Adam Morgan, Colin Turkington and Michael Epps completing the top 10.

Championship leader Sam Tordoff was again outside the top 10 in 14th as the rear-wheel drive BMW 125i struggled in the wet – backed up by Rob Collard finding himself down in 23rd.

The wet conditions led to a number of on-track incidents. Speedworks Motorsport’s Matt Simpson had a trip into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend, leading to the first of the three red flags. He then had a second off at Druids which caused the second stoppage.

Maximum Motorsport’s Stewart Lines then brought the session to a halt for the third time after beaching his Ford Focus ST at Paddock Hill Bend.

Motorbase Performance’s Andrew Jordan had two trips through the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend and recovered, while Power Maxed Racing’s Hunter Abbott also had two minor offs at Graham Hill Bend. Team Parker Racing’s Alex Martin also had an off, leading to the rear bumper of his Ford Focus ST coming adrift.

Team BKR’s Mark Howard also picked up some damage after hitting the wall exiting Graham Hill Bend in his Volkswagen CC- after successfully saving slides there on two previous laps.

That corner was also the site of coming together between Jack Goff and Josh Cook, when the Triple Eight Racing man lost the back end of his MG6 and slid into the side of Goff’s BMW 125i.

Next up for the touring cars is the all-important qualifying session, which takes place at 15:40 BST.