Halfords Yuasa Racing returned to the top of the timesheets as reigning champion Gordon Shedden set the pace in the second Free Practice session at Thruxton.

“It was a big surprise to end up quickest – there wasn’t a lot left in the tank!” said Shedden. “I expect the times to tumble in qualifying and for pole to be somewhere in the 1m15s bracket – although I don’t think I’ll be in the 1m15s. We’re still trying to find the sweet spot with all the weight, but I think the top ten is a realistic target from our side.”

Jack Goff made it a one-two for Honda machinery – albeit for the independent Eurotech squad – as the 26-year-old backed up his earlier pace with another strong showing in FP2.

Adam Morgan’s potent Mercedes continues to show good form as the Ciceley Motorsport man produced the third best time, ahead of the impressive Rob Austin in the Handy Motorsport Toyota.

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington is looking to cement his championship credentials this weekend, with fourth during practice further boosting confidence. The Ulsterman took a reversed grid win at Thruxton on his way to the title back in 2014, and the WSR man will be pleased with a similar return this time around.

Vauxhall’s Senna Proctor looked to be far and away the best of the rookie drivers until he was demoted down the order the by a high flying Luke Davenport in the striking Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo Ford. The Motorbase-run squad have experienced a challenging start to the 2017 campaign, but they will have been buoyed by their young gun’s efforts in Hampshire.

Andrew Jordan wedged his BMW 125i M Sport inbetween the two rookies to take seventh, whilst Matt Neal and Dave Newsham rounded out the top ten. 

Neal responded well to a minor mid-session off and Newsham made it two top tens on the day so far. His young team-mate Chris Smiley confirmed the pace of the BTC Norlin Racing Chevrolet with 11th.

The all-important qualifying session for Round 7 of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will take place at 16:10, which you see live via www.itv.com/btcc. 

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 2 – Thruxton

1 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 1m16.510s (110.85mph)
2 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +0.004s
3 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +0.318s
4 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +0.414s
5 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.469s
6 Luke DAVENPORT (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +0.511s
7 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.512s
8 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.562s
9 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.614s
10 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.647s
11 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.781s
12 Jake HILL (GBR) TAG Racing +0.842s
13 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.976s
14 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.978s
15 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.987s
16 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +0.989s
17 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +1.003s
18 Michael EPPS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.005s
19 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +1.038s
20 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +1.109s
21 Daniel LLOYD (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +1.253s
22 Will BURNS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.312s
23 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.329s
24 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +1.377s
25 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +1.384s
26 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +1.423s
27 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.541s
28 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.558s
29 Josh COOK (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +1.163s
30 Aron TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +1.838s
31 Josh PRICE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +2.228s
32 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +2.657s