Josh Cook clocked the fastest lap of the day so far in the closing moments of FP2 at Thruxton, as the One Motorsport with Starline Racing driver looks to kickstart his BTCC title challenge this weekend.
Cook is currently languishing down in ninth in the standings after a topsy turvy start to his 2023 campaign, but the Bath racer is back where he belongs this weekend as the Thruxton specialist topped both practice sessions.
NAPA Racing UK's Dan Rowbottom set the pace initially, before BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Tom Ingram became the first driver to dip into the 1:15s bracket.
Cook would not be denied, however, as he set a 1:15.411s on his final run with Ingram eventually having to settle for second on the timesheets.
Bobby Thompson produced his own impressive improvement right at the end as the Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils man jumped 23 places into third, relegating Rowbottom down to fourth.
The track conditions – basked in warm Hampshire sunshine – seemed to improve throughout the session as Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) fired his BMW to fifth with most drivers/teams carrying out their qualifying simulations in the closing stages.
NAPA Racing UK had three cars in the top ten as Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish joined Rowbottom, whilst Ricky Collard (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK), Aiden Moffat (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Aron Taylor Smith (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) all produced solid efforts.
There was one short stoppage midway through the session when Will Powell spun on the exit of Church – the fastest corner in the country – which required his stricken Honda to be removed from the grass.
Qualifying for Round 10 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 1525, and will be streamed live via the ITV YouTube channel.
Josh Cook said: "Still trying to make fine improvements and we know, come qualifying, it's going to be really close. We just need to keep chipping away – there is still a little bit to find and get some of the grass out the front!
"All we are doing is trying to get the best out of me and the best out of the car. I don't know what it is but I love this circuit – it's my favourite one. We have had a lot of success at other circuits and had double wins at plenty of other races but it just seems to be that, so far, we've been consistently quick at this circuit. Some of that is helped by the continuity we have with some of the team, my engineer, everybody we have on the car. It all helps."
2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – FP2 – Thruxton
