Darren Turner takes first pole of the year

The diesel-powered Darren Turner took pole position for the first of three British Touring Car Championship races at Croft tomorrow.
“The car felt great all session and so it was down to me to produce the goods. It’s a shame Gordon denied us a 1-2, but that was quite a lap from him when the pressure was on. He’s going to be tough work tomorrow,” said Turner to BTCC.net.

Second fastest was Gordon Shedden in the Team Halfords Honda Civic, only 0.101 seconds behind Turner.

“That really was a case of driving at 100 per cent, but I knew I only had one chance so couldn’t put a wheel wrong. Second in the circumstances is a very good result and I’m confident my car will be strong over a race distance tomorrow,” said Shedden.

Third fastest was Turner’s team mate Jason Plato, a further tenth behind. Plato will have Colin Turkington right behind him in fourth and Matt Neal in fifth.

While Tom Onslow-Cole made it two Vauxhall’s in the top six, things were a bit worse for reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi who only managed 12th.