Redstone Racing’s Mat Jackson topped the times in this morning’s first British Touring Car Championship practice session at Donington Park, fending off Andrew Jordan to go fastest.
Jackson set a time of 1:11.465 to go 0.042 seconds faster than Pirtek’s Jordan. Jackson was on top of the times for most of the session, although MG’s Jason Plato once again showed his pace and was briefly top of the time-sheets.
‘Works’ Honda drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden were next up in third and fourth respectively, making it three of the new NGTC Civics inside the top four.
Jackson’s team-mate Árón Smith was fifth fastest, with Plato himself ending up sixth fastest on only his second weekend in the new MG6.
Dave Newsham and Rob Austin continued their strong form from the first meeting to end the session in seventh and eighth, with Jeff Smith the last driver within a second of Jackson’s time in ninth and Tony Gilham completing the top ten.
The session was briefly red-flagged when Rob Collard went into the gravel trap at the Old Hairpin. Collard ended up 19th fastest having only completed 5 laps. Several other drivers also suffered moments at the notoriously tricky corner, with Tony Gilham and Adam Morgan also having moments at the bottom of the hill.