MG’s Jason Plato was the fastest driver around Croft in second practice for the British Touring Car Championship, lapping the North Yorkshire circuit in 1:24.817 to beat Honda’s Gordon Shedden to the top time.
Plato was the only driver to beak into the 1 minute 24s with a lap that put him top near the end of the session. Shedden, who is the carrying maximum success ballast of 45 kg for leading the championship, was 0.485 seconds further back.
Rob Collard was third fastest in the eBay Motors BMW 320si, whilst reigning champion Matt Neal was fourth quickest. Andrew Jordan, who had comfortably topped the times in the morning’s first practice session, was fifth fastest and the only other driver within a second of Plato’s time.
Mat Jackson broke into the top ten by setting the seventh fastest lap – the Redstone Racing driver having been 12th in first practice. Adam Morgan was once again seventh fastest in his Toyota Avensis.
Árón Smith was eighth quickest, improving on two positions from first practice. Frank Wrathall ended the session in ninth, with Jeff Smith ensuring that all four NGTC Honda Civics made the top ten in tenth.
Paul O’Neill failed to post a lap time in the session due to persistent throttle problems on his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis.
Qualifying takes place at 1505 GMT.