MATT NEAL TAKES POLE // BTCC SEASON OPENER @ BRANDS HATCH

After a damp and dismal start, Brands Hatch basked under sunny skies for the British Touring Car Championship qualifying day. The long winters silence was broken by a healthy 20 car entry with the opening three Rounds scheduled at Britian's most iconic circuit, Brands Hatch.
 
With a few more entries joining later in the series, it is good to see UK motorsport is fighting the recession.
 
Following the withdrawal of the "works" Seat Team at the end of 2008, the might of the the three car Vauxhall squad may well feel that the Championship is done and dusted already, but they will face a RWD threat this year from both the BMW squads, with Airwaves Team Motorbase looking particularly quick in testing... [read more]

 
Also of note and something I am sure will delight his legion of British fans, former BTCC title winner and ex Seat factory driver, Jason Plato, is back with a late deal in a Team RML Chevrolet Lacetti.
 
Matt Neal with his VXR Vectra (top) claimed the pole spot for the 1st of tomorrow's races, edging out teammate and 2008 Champion, Fabrizio Giovanardi.
 
Performance of the day however, has to be Johnathon Adam's P6 finish, just two tenths off pole and in his first BTCC qualifying session.
 
With Rob Collard's Team Airwaves BMW in third and the similar machine of West Surrey Racing's Colin Turkington in fourth, the first few hundred metres away from the line should make interesting viewing as the rear wheel drive cars usually have the advantage.
 
Top Ten Qualifying times, BTCC, Brands Hatch, 4 April 2009
1. Matt Neal (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, 48.857s
2. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, +0.020s
3. Robert Collard (GBR), Airwaves BMW/BMW 320si, +0.069s
4. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +0.165s
5. Andrew Jordan (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, +0.216s
6. Jonathan Adam (GBR), Airwaves BMW/BMW 320si, +0.264s
7. Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Dynamics/Honda Civic, +0.323s
8. Stephen Jelley (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +0.370s
9. Jason Plato (GBR), RML/Chevrolet Lacetti, +0.657s
10. Adam Jones (GBR), Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing/SEAT Leon, +0.754s

Be sure and stay tuned, as CTD's Neil Tozer will be there to catch all of the action!

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer