Photo: PSP Images

Gordon Shedden leads Honda 1-2 in first practice

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Honda Racing Team’s Gordon Shedden topped the times in the first free practice session at Donington Park, finishing ahead of team-mate Matt Neal.

Shedden’s best time of 1.10.595 was just over 0.2 seconds slower than the pace set by Eurotech Racing’s Andrew Jordan at the media test day last month.

Neal was just 0.008 behind in second, ahead of Triple Eight MG pair Sam Tordoff and Jason Plato. Jordan, Adam Morgan, Colin Turkington, Aron Smith, Frank Wrathall and Dave Newsham completed the top 10.

Rob Austin, running in his rebuilt Audi A4 for the first time since his huge Brands Hatch accident, finished in 22nd place with a time of 1.13.068.

James Kaye was the fastest of the Jack Sears Trophy runners in 18th overall, with a time of 1.12.349 in his AmD Tuning Volkswagen Golf.

The session took place under bright, sunny skies with track temperatures topping 26 degrees, significantly warmer than the bitter conditions at the media day test.

The second 40-minute free practice session takes place at 12:30 BST.