Adam close to Giovanardi at Brands

While Fabrizio Giovanardi broke the lap record, the real focus of the official British Touring Car Championship test at Brands Hatch was on newcomer Jonathan Adam. The youngster was second fastest, only one tenth behind Giovanardi in his second ever official BTCC test with Airwaves BMW (Motorbase Performance).

The two were the only drivers to get beneath 49 seconds around Brands Hatch. Third fastest was Matt Neal in the Vauxhall Vectra ahead of Team RAC-driver Stephen Jelley.

Vauxhall new boy Andrew Jordan was fifth fastest head of Colin Turkington who topped the previous test at Rockingham.

Robert Collard was seventh fastest in his BMW 320si ahead of three Honda-drivers. Team Dynamics drivers Gordon Shedden and Dave Pinkney was eight and ninth respectively ahead of the BTC spec’ Honda Integra of John George.

Harry Vaulkhard of Tempus Sport caused a short stop of the session when he parked his Chevrolet Lacetti in the gravel trap.

“I was experimenting with the brake bias and now know what I was trying doesn’t work – the front tyres just locked up under braking and I slid straight on,” said Vaulkhard to BTCC.net.

Another driver to visit the gravel trap was new comer Liam McMillan in his SEAT Toledo. Neither of the drivers sustained any damage to their cars and were able to continue.

Four drivers were not present during the test: Jason Hughes of KWR Sport, Dan Eaves and Adam Jones of Carbon Zero Racing and Paul O’Neill of Tech-Speed Motorsport.

The test at Brands Hatch continues until 18.00 CET, stay tuned for more news!