Halfords Yuasa Racing's Dan Cammish set the ultimate pace on the opening day of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship test at Snetterton.
Honda star Cammish was a front-runner throughout the morning and afternoon sessions but he eventually stretched his legs in the new-for-2018 Civic Type R to clock a 1:56.581s lap time, which edged out Jack Goff's earlier benchmark in the older WIX Racing with Eurotech Honda.
"A day like today is really important for me," said Cammish. "It's not often you get a full day in the car and my first season has obviously been a baptism of fire, particularly with the new Civic having not turned a wheel until Media Day in March. The times have been there today, which is great, and we've learnt a lot on some longer runs too."
"It's nice to be back up at the sharp end after a difficult Croft," responded Goff. "The pace and balance seems to be in the car and we are there or thereabouts. Of course, this test isn't all about one lap pace though so we're ticking off a number of things across the two days."
Matt Neal proved Honda's potency around the 2.99-mile circuit by claiming the third fastest time ahead of Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher's Tom Chilton.
Chilton showed solid pace particularly in the morning and went on to complete a 20-lap race run in the afternoon, in preparation for the longer distance 'Double Diamond' race that will take place here later this month (28/29 July).
Six different marques completed the top ten positions, highlighting the level playing field in the BTCC, as BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan edged out Rob Austin's Alfa and James Cole's Ford respectively.
Mike Bushell’s VW featured prominently for much of the day and he eventually took eighth, with Power Maxed TAG Racing's Josh Cook and Team BMW's Colin Turkington completing the top ten positions.
Further times were set post the 1530 classified finish but this was part of a further tyre assessment ahead of the BTCC's 60 anniversary celebration race here later this month, which will be double the distance of a normal BTCC encounter.
“We will be carrying out some specific longer runs this afternoon,” commented Dunlop’s UK and One Brand Motorsport Events Manager, Mickey Butler. “Andrew Jordan and Tom Ingram have been chosen to run a 20-lap run, whilst Tom will also complete some qualifying simulations.
“We’re hoping to be in a position this evening to select our chosen tyre compound for the ‘Diamond Double’ race later this month, which will give teams a chance to test further tomorrow.”
WEDNESDAY TEST SESSION – COMBINED CLASSIFICATION
