Josh Cook is renowned as a Thruxton specialist – having taken six victories in his previous five visits – and the BTC Racing star has picked up from where he left off in May by topping today's opening BTCC free practice session.
The other driver to win at the Hampshire track during the season opener was reigning champion Ash Sutton, so it was little surprise to see him slotting into second this morning – albeit peddling the now ballast-heavy Laser Tools Racing Infiniti virtue of his impressive standings lead.
Senna Proctor highlighted the prowess of the BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R by taking third, ahead of the Car Gods-backed Ciceley BMW of Adam Morgan.
A trio of expected title contenders were next in the order too – Tom Ingram (Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com), Gordon Shedden (Halfords Racing with Cataclean) and Rory Butcher (Toyota Gazoo Racing UK) – as a number of BTCC's big hitters flexed their muscles at the UK's fastest track.
Halfords Racing with Cataclean's Daniel Rowbottom made it four Hondas inside the top eight, ahead of the Draper Tools-backed EXCELR8 Motorsport Hyundai of Chris Smiley.
Team BMW's Colin Turkington completed the top ten, but it was a mixed outing for the multiple title-winning squad as team-mate Stephen Jelley brought a premature end to the session following a heavy shunt on the exit of Allard Corner.
“Unfortunately I just turned into turn one too late," confirmed Jelley, after the session was cut short with eight minutes still on the clock. "I did my best first sector on the lap before, and was just looking to try and improve. We had a little bit of understeer through there and I turned in, got on the marbles slightly and you’re just line-locked on whatever your destiny is at that time.
"There’s no small accidents here unfortunately, so it’s just wiped out the left hand side of the car. But I’m fine, though it’s not ideal.
"The only good thing is that it’s happened in Free Practice, it’s the best session for this to have happened in. I’m sure the guys will have the car ready, and we’ll go again."
The 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be back on-track at 1205 for Free Practice 2, whilst qualifying commences at 1445 and will be streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.
2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Thruxton
1 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +1:15.655s
2 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.242s
3 Senna PROCTOR(GBR) BTC Racing +0.324s
4 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.359s
5 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +0.400s
6 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.417
7 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +0.483s
8 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.501.s
9 Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +0.527s
10 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.580s
11 Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +0.604s
12 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.678s
13 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +0.793s
14 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +0.970s
15 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +1.039s
16 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +1.365s
17 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.509s
18 Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +1.566s
19 Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +1.646s
20 Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +1.737s
21 Paul RIVETT (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +1.741s
22 Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +1.869s
23 Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +1.909s
24 Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +2.056s
25 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +2.238s
26 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +2.426s
27 Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +2.463s
28 Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +2.634s
29 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with iQuoto Online Trading +2.670s
