Team BMW's Colin Turkington has set the pace in the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session at Thruxton.
The double BTCC champion has endured a challenging start to his 2018 campaign – a second place finish at Brands Hatch being his best result so far – but the signs are good for a return to form in Hampshire. In truth, it has been misfortune rather than pace that has hampered his efforts in the opening two events, but both he and his WSR team hope that any technical issues are now behind them.
Turkington set his benchmark lap time midway through the session and he was immediately followed by the impressive Vauxhall duo of Josh Cook and Senna Proctor. The Power Maxed TAG Racing pairing have taken a maiden win apiece from the events at Brands Hatch and Donington Park and there's every sign that the Vauxhall Astra squad could be a championship threat this season.
Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher took fourth with Tom Chilton, whilst the works-backed Honda of Dan Cammish was fifth. Cammish has shown good pace during the early stages of his BTCC career and it's a vital weekend for Halfords Yuasa Racing as the manufacturer team needs to start turning speed into consistent points finishes.
Jack Goff continued his high-rise form with a steady sixth ahead of reigning champion Ash Sutton. The Adrian Flux Subaru Racing star set the pace during pre-season testing here at Thruxton – some half a second quicker than Turkington's time today – suggesting there may be more pace to come as this weekend develops.
Andrew Jordan was eighth with Mike Bushell ninth in the Team HARD Volkswagen. Bushell ran extremely well during testing here and the VW CC has always been a potent force around the fastest circuit in the country.
Team BMW's Rob Collard was tenth, ensuring that all three WSR BMW 125i M Sports were in the top ten.
Free Practice 2 starts at 1230 before the qualifying session commences at 1525, where all the action will be streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.
2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Thruxton
1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 1m16.268s
2 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +0.119s
3 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +0.403s
4 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.446s
5 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.451s
6 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.562s
7 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.603s
8 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.610s
9 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +0.629s
10 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.647s
11 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.670s
12 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +0.680s
13 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +0.804s
14 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.864s
15 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +0.877s
16 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +1.058s
17 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +1.082s
18 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +1.093s
19 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.113s
20 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +1.284s
21 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.297s
22 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +1.539s
23 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.565s
24 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +1.692s
25 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +1.697s
26 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.765s
27 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.847s
28 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +1.874s
29 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.898s
30 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +2.354s
31 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +2.387s
32 James NASH (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +2.472s
