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Matt Neal takes Brands Hatch pole

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Matt Neal lead a Vauxhall one-two at the first qualifying session of the British Touring Car Championship 2009. The Brit lapped Brands Hatch in 48.857, team mate Fabrizio Giovanardi was only 0.020 seconds behind him. Robert Collard took third spot, winning the BMW team battle between Airwaves BMW and Team RAC as Colin Turkington was fourth.

Collard topped the final practice session but was beaten by Neal with 0.069 seconds.

Vauxhall new boy Andrew Jordan was fifth fastest ahead of BMW new boy Jonathan Adam in sixth.

Gordon Shedden claimed seventh in the Team Dynamics Honda Civic ahead of Stephen Jelley’s Team RAC BMW 320si.

Jason Plato is starting to pick up the pace in the Chevrolet Lacetti and was ninth fastest despite this being his third run ever in the RML prepared car.

Adam Jones in the bio ethanol powered SEAT Léon rounded off top ten, 0.754 seconds behind Neal.

Best Team Aon Ford Focus driver was Tom Chilton in 16th with his team mate Alan Morrison 19th and second to last of the 20 car strong field.

Stay tuned for more news from the day at Brands Hatch!