Dave Newsham tops timesheets in FP2 at Donington

Dave Newsham was fastest in the final free practice session at Donington, finishing ahead of defending BTCC Champion Matt Neal.

Honda Yuasa Racing’s Matt Neal was an early leader in the session ahead of the Triple Eight Race Engineering MG of his championship rival Jason Plato. However the Brands Hatch pole sitter Dave Newsham soon rocketed to the top of the timesheets. The Vauxhall Vectra was the first of the cars to set a lap in the 1:10s, with a 1:10.967. In spite of the fact it was set in the first half of the session it was a time that was not be beaten with no other driver setting a time in the 1:10s.

Behind them Andrew Jordan finished the session in fourth for Eurotech Racing. While free practice one timesheet topper Mat Jackson rounded out the top five.

The Vauxhall Insignia of John Thorne had to be recovered after an excursion off track. Jeff Smith spun on track but was able to recover. Adam Morgan bought out the red flag in the last ten minutes of session after the Speedworks driver went off at the Old Hairpin. The session was restarted with five minutes left on the clock, which resulted in a flurry of activity but no improvement at the top of the timesheets.

Qualifying for the first race is due to take place at 15:25 UK time and will be broadcast live on the internet by ITV.