Andrew Jordan topped the afternoon test session at the BTCC’s Official Media Day, setting a time of 59.982 seconds around the Silverstone National circuit. His time was around a quarter of a second faster than second-placed James Nash, who set the time whilst at the wheel of his team-mate Tony Gilhams Vauxhall Vectra.
Click here for the full times from the test.
It was an impressive test session for the TOCA-branded NGTC engines – fitted in both Vectra’s of Jordan and Gilham. The Honda of Matt Neal was third fastest, just over a quarter of a second adrift.
Nash told btcc.net: “I don’t think everybody has shown their true pace today, but hopefully we can continue this good strong run into Brands Hatch when the real stuff starts.”
Fourth fastest was reigning champion Jason Plato, who will continue to run with a S2000-spec engine this season.
Fifth fastest was the Airwaves Racing Ford Focus of Mat Jackson – of significance was the fact that he finished the session ahead of Tom Chilton, who was sixth fastest in the newer Team Aon Ford Focus. Both Focus’ will be running petrol powered NGTC engines this year.
Alex MacDowall set the seventh fastest time in his Chevrolet Cruze, ahead of the #52 Honda Civic of Gordon Shedden.
Paul O’Neill was once again out testing in the Chevrolet Cruze – now confirmed as his car for the coming season. Sporting a bold purple livery, with title sponsorship from GoMobileUK.com, the former works Vauxhall driver set a time that was just over half a second off the pace at the front.
There were a few troubles elsewhere – Tom Onslow-Cole, AmD Milltek’s new star signing, suffered serious engine problems early in the day and Special Tuning Racing’s Tom Boardman was able to complete just seven laps due to an electrical problem. Chris James, driving a Chevrolet Lacetti for his Team ES Racing squad, did not record a lap time and suffered mechanical problems half way through with a blown engine.
The public debut’s of both Toyota Avensis to be campaigned this year were relatively low-key. Frank Wrathall’s car was present but did not turn a wheel in anger all day, whilst Tony Hughes managed several laps without a timing transponder but was not on the track for long regardless. Despite this the black TOCA NGTC prototype was in action once again, with former champion Tim Harvey at the wheel. The lack of true testing for the new NGTC teams could present issues at Brands Hatch next week.