Photo: PSP Images

Jake Hill paces opening practice at Thruxton

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Jake Hill maintained his strong form from Snetterton to top the opening British Touring Car Championship practice session at Thruxton.

Hot on the heels of a superb showing in Norfolk two weeks ago, the West Surrey Racing driver wasted no time in laying down his marker at the fastest circuit in the UK by rocketing to the top of the times.

Hill set a best time of 1:15.341 around the 2.36-mile track to finish a little under two tenths of a second ahead of former champion Tom Ingram.

Power Maxed Racing’s Aron Taylor-Smith enjoyed a late charge up the order to net third in his Vauxhall Astra while Adam Morgan and Andrew Watson completed the top five.

Four-time champion Colin Turkington was next up ahead of Tom Chilton and current title holder Ash Sutton, who led a trio of Ford Focus’, with Dan Rowbottom and Dan Cammish hot on his heels.

Cammish endured a frustrating end to the session as he ground to halt when exiting the pit lane, bringing out the red flag briefly.

Free practice two at Thruxton is scheduled to begin at 12:05.