Photo: PSP Images

Josh Cook remains out front ahead of Thruxton qualifying

Josh Cook lowered his benchmark lap time to once again lead the way in second practice for the fourth meeting of the BTCC season at Thruxton.

The One Motorsport driver left his fast lap until the end of the session to prevent Tom Ingram’s Hyundai from leading the way, with the Honda ace ending up half a second clear of the defending champion at the front.

Cook wasn’t the only person to improve late on, with Bobby Thompson producing an impressive lap at the wheel of his Team HARD Cupra to jump into third spot ahead of the leading NAPA Racing Ford Focus in the hands of Dan Rowbottom.

Rowbottom had been the early pace setter in the session before slipping back down the order, with the BMW of Jake Hill and Ash Sutton’s Ford rounding out the top six.

The only stoppage in the session was caused by Will Powell having a trip off track at Church that left his car needing recovery from the grass, with Tom Chilton late joining the session in his Hyundai before logging nine laps – the lowest of any driver.