Jason Plato fastest in first Snetterton practice

The Triple Eight MG duo of Jason Plato and Sam Tordoff carried on their good form from last month’s Snetterton test, taking a one-two in the first free practice session of the weekend.

Plato led his rookie team-mate by 0.115, with Andrew Jordan setting the third fastest time in his Eurotech Racing Honda Civic – despite only setting his first flying lap with around 10 minutes to go.

Plato’s time was 0.622 slower than the best time he managed at last month’s Dunlop tyre test.

The Toyota Avensis was a quick car here last year and that appears to still be the case, with Speedworks Motorsport’s Dave Newsham and Ciceley Racing’s Adam Morgan fourth and fifth.

The top 10 was completed by Aron Smith, Colin Turkington, Gordon Shedden, Rob Austin and Mat Jackson.

In the depleted Jack Sears Trophy class, Lea Wood was fastest in his JWT Performance Vauxhall Vectra, in 21st overall.

The session saw the first competitive appearance of two new cars.

Andy Neate completed 12 laps on his way to setting the 20th fastest time in his IP Tech Chevrolet Cruze, which is making its long-awaited debut at this event.

Warren Scott also shook down his new Team BMR Restart Volkswagen CC, built by Tony Gilham Racing. He completed seven laps, but did not set a representative time.

Scott’s move from his Seat Leon to NGTC machinery, and the absence of Joe Girling’s Finesse Motorsport Chevrolet Cruze has reduced the Jack Sears Trophy to four cars.

In that class, James Kaye is now driving a Honda Civic for AmD Tuning, and set the 24th-fastest time in the session.

American Robb Holland, who returns to the scene of his BTCC debut, was 25th in his first outing in the Tony Gilham Racing Vauxhall Insignia.

The second free practice session gets under way at 12:00BST.