BTCC: Vauxhall Brands Hatch qualifying notes

Vauxhall Motorsport driver, Yvan Muller roared into action today, Sunday April 15, taking pole position in his Vauxhall Astra Coupe for both Sprint and Feature Races of Rounds one and two of the all-new www.theAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship - his first ever double pole in three year of racing in the BTCC.

Vauxhall Motorsport team-mate, Jason Plato starts his 101st BTCC race from third on the (Sprint) grid but is set to challenge Muller when he joins him on the front row for the main 50-lap Feature Race. James Thompson, driving the Egg Sport Vauxhall Astra Coupe, is alongside Muller on the front row for the Sprint Race and lines up third for the main race. Egg Sport team-mate, Phil Bennett starts both races from fourth on his debut appearance in touring cars, after today's 30 minutes session held in dry, cloudy conditions.

Yvan Muller, Car 4, Vauxhall Motorsport Astra Coupe Sprint - pole, 49.062s, Feature - pole, 48.942s "That was a great qualifying session! I am very excited now especially as everything went exactly according to the plan we had drawn up beforehand. And although everything is never perfect at the beginning of a new season, the Astra Coupe performed extremely well and I feel very good about tomorrow's race."

Jason Plato, Car 5, Vauxhall Motorsport Astra Coupe Sprint - 3rd , 49.086s, Feature - 2nd, 49.093s "Second is on for a good main race although third on the grid for the Sprint was not in the game plan. I suffered from understeer throughout the session - it's something for us to work on overnight but I am sure the team will find a solution."

James Thompson, Car 9, Egg Sport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Sprint - 2nd, 49.064s, Feature - 3rd, 49.148s "I'm really pleased with a front row start for the Sprint Race because I'm still learning the car. I've only had two days testing and I'm only just now getting the feel for the Astra Coupe. "

Phil Bennett, Car 27 , Egg Sport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Sprint - 4th, 49.689s, Feature - 4th, 49.708s "I'm getting faster every time I get in the car. I couldn't really hope for a better qualifying result, starting from fourth in each race gives me a really good feeling. That means I've got Steve Soper behind for both race starts - I hope the Triple Eight boys have built me an Astra Coupe with a strong rear end! But I suppose I should say I'll be concentrating on what is happening in front and not behind me."

<pre> Brands Hatch Qualifying

Sprint

1 Yvan Muller  Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.062
2 James Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.064
3 Jason Plato  Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.086
4 Phil Bennett  Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.689
5 Steve Soper  Peugeot 406 Coupe  50.377
6 Dan Eaves  Peugeot 406 Coupe  50.638

Feature

1 Yvan Muller  Vauxhall Astra Coupe  48.942
2 Jason Plato  Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.093
3 James Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.148
4 Phil Bennett  Vauxhall Astra Coupe  49.708
5 Steve Soper  Peugeot 406 Coupe  50.414
6 Dan Eaves  Peugeot 406 Coupe  50.604

-Vauxhall