Onslow-Cole deservedly on pole position

Tom Onslow-Cole has taken the first pole position in the British Touring Car Championship of his career. The Vauxhall driver had already been quickest in both practise sessions today, and repeated this during qualifying. Jason Plato was however right on his heels, being just 0.079s slower than Onslow-Cole. The SEAT had to settle for second on the grid, as Colin Turkington took third place.

Onslow-Cole said: “I’m back in the rebuilt car I had a big smash in at Brands Hatch in March and it feels just like new. I’ve clicked with it straight away and of course I’m delighted with the result. It was a bit nerve-wracking at the end… I’d got the best out of my tyres so just had to hope nobody would go any quicker. Jason got very close, but I guess I did just enough in the end.”

Championship leader Fabrizio Giovanardi was unable to keep up with the pace during qualifying and managed only 8th fastest time. Second in the standings Mat Jackson was even further down in 14th.

The session was briefly brought to a halt after John George and Michael Doyle colided at the old hairpin. After the session had restarted, several drivers span in the same corner, among them Colin Turkington, Gordon Shedden and Alan Taylor’s.