UK 2000: Conway fastest in Thruxton first qualifying

Mike Conway put his Fortec Motorsport on pole position in the closing minutes of an extremely close qualifying session. The session started with a very damp track but a dry line quickly developed and the times tumbled towards the end.

Paul Di Resta, Susie Stoddart, Steven Simpson and John Byrne set the early pace with Byrne lapping half a second quicker than anyone else. Soon the track started to dry and most drivers pitted for slick tyres for a final stint over the last few minutes.

Several drivers spun around the circuit - Juan Polar and Alex Storcekfeldt both lost control at the exit of the final chicane and stopped in the middle of the track. Carlos Mastretta then crashed into the tyre wall at the entrance to the final chicane. The Falcon Motorsport driver lost control under braking and spun backwards across the grass and into the barrier. The driver was able to walk away but the rear of the car was significantly damaged.

Twenty-seven out of the thirty-two drivers set their fastest laps on their final laps making the session effectively a single-lap showdown. Mike Conway went into the final lap four tenths ahead going into the final lap with James Byrne second, James Murphy third and Joey Foster fourth.

Paul di Resta laid down the challenge with lap to move two tenths ahead of Conway. Joey Foster then momentarily went fastest but he was followed on track by Mike Conway who set the fastest lap of all. James Murphy’s final lap was enough to move him up to fourth place.

Mike Conway qualified fastest, half a second ahead of Ruben Carrapatoso. James Murphy qualified third ahead of Westley Barber in fourth place and Joey Foster in fifth.

Session times:
1. Conway 1:11.109
2. Carrapatoso 1:11.594
3. Murphy 1:11.762
4. Barber 1:11.856
5. Foster 1:11.861
6. Jakes 1:11.890
7. Weber 1:11.923
8. Edwards 1:11.999
9. Storckenfelft 1:12.032
10. di Resta 1:12.066