BTCC: Silverstone: Vauxhall practice report

Vauxhall's Astra Coupe drivers are all set for their BTCC showdown this Jubilee Weekend following a strong showing in today's two free practice sessions on the 2.02-mile Silverstone International Circuit.

The hot and dry sessions saw Vauxhall Motorsport's James Thompson setting a top Vauxhall time and overall second fastest time of 1m27.909s. The Yorkshireman however, is carrying a weighty 30kgs in success ballast and is consequently pleased with the day's work. Currently locked in a three-way tie for the championship with his French team -mate, Yvan Muller and Team Egg Sport Astra Coupe driver, Matt Neal, Thompson is looking for a strong performance this weekend.

"It's early days yet but although the circuit was quite dusty, I do now feel I have a good baseline for the weekend."

Fellow Astra Coupe drivers, Muller, Neal and Paul O'Neill also set strong times in free practice. With O'Neill and Neal posting fourth and fifth fastest times respectively, the sessions finished with three Astra Coupes in the top six.

The day's practice sessions are a positive result for the Atsra Coupe drivers given that Thompson, Muller and Neal are all giving away a hefty weight advantage to the remainder of the field. Muller starts tomorrow's qualifying sessions and Monday's 15-lap Sprint Race with a maximum 42kgs success ballast whilst Thompson carries 30kgs and Neal, 18kgs.

Combined Free Practice Sessions 1&2 - June 1
1 Anthony Reid MG ZS 1m 27.607s
2 James Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:27.909
3 Warren Hughes MG ZS 1:28.017
4 Paul O'Neill Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:28.033
5 Matt Neal Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:28.047
6 Alan Morrison Honda Civic Type R 1:28.283

-Vauxhall-