Photo: PSP Images

Thompson just ahead of Giovanardi at Croft

By

James Thompson has started the British Touring Car Championship weekend at Croft fastest. But he was closely followed by reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi. The Vauxhall driver was only 0.003 seconds behind the Honda driver.

Third fastest was BTCC legend Jason Plato in the Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti, 0.121 seconds behind.

Best BMW driver was once again Colin Turkington in the RAC prepared 320si. His best time was 1:26.875, 0.342 seconds behind Thompson.

Mat Jackson missed a good part of the session due to repair work of the front end of his Chevrolet. Jackson clipped a tyre barrier at high speed which resulted in some bodywork damage.

But the Racing Silverline driver was able to set fifth fastest time ahead of Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal.

Stephen Jelley was eight fastest in the second Team RAC BMW ahead of the two Cartride World Carbo Zero Racing drivers Adam Jones and Dan Eaves.

Tom Onslow-Cole, who replaces Alan Morrison for this race, was 18th fastest in the Team Aon Ford Focus, some two seconds behind Thompson.