We caught up with the top three from the opening session of this Thruxton race weekend – Free Practice 1. 

Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff set the pace in the early running with the Mercedes-Benz of Adam Morgan following up just a tenth behind. Matt Neal's Honda rounded out the top three.

"It’s always very hard to tell where you are in FP1," said Goff. "We know what we’re doing but we don’t necessarily know what everyone else is doing.

"That said, I think we’re reasonably happy. We didn’t get the car absolutely spot on and it’s one of those tracks you build up to. My lap was by no means perfect and there’s definitely more in it with three or four tenths in myself and maybe a tenth or two in the car. Our race pace is good, too.

"Our base setup is good so it’s just fine tuning now between sessions. The test was really important for us. We saw where we were as far as our pace. Now that we’re here, FP1 and FP2 are about getting things spot on for qualifying and the race tomorrow.

"We’ve had two mediocre weekends where we didn’t really get the results that we should have got and we’re still in the top six. If we can get all three races somewhere near this weekend then we can move back towards the real front end of the championship.

"We know this is a strong circuit for the Honda Civic Type R so we’ve to make sure we get some good points this weekend.

"I’m looking at the front row, or definitely the front two rows. We know we have the pace in the car to be on pole and if I wasn’t going out there to go for that then I’d be lying."

Adam Morgan was pleased with how things started this morning too. 

"We’ve a few setup changes to make but overall the pace was strong and we seem to have found a setup where we’ve got strong race pace as well so we’re happy with that," said the Lancastrian.

"If we could come away from here with a podium or just three top tens it’d be mega. I am aiming for a podium this weekend. Whatever happens I’ll keep plugging away to get good points.

"The car just seems to work here, and it always has done. It looks after its tyres well, it handles well through the tight stuff and it’s got good balance. Whether it’s a combination of me and the car, I don’t know but we always seem to come here and it does work.

"We learned at the test that the setup we’ve been using at Brands and Donington doesn’t work around here and straight away it’s been a different car since we’ve made the change – it’s so much more driveable. We’re confident and we’re looking to be near the front in qualifying."

The Hondas always go well in Hampshire and Matt Neal is aiming to please on 'home soil' for Honda.

"It was pretty good out there but the car was pretty lively!" said Neal. "Whether it was the wind out the back there or what; I had a few moments through the quick stuff.

"I’m hopeful but some others have come to the fore and Adam Morgan’s always a dark horse, he’s not got much weight and so is Rob Austin. There's plenty of potential up top.

"We work as hard, if not harder than anybody else on high speed stability with the aero and that’s what Thruxton’s all about. The strength in the Civic has always been high speed corners and that’s 90 per cent of what Thruxton is, so it comes into its own here – the engine is also strong at the top end too normally.

"I really enjoy coming here, I love the place but I’ve always had rotten luck.

"It’s been a great hunting ground for Honda traditionally and it’s not too far from Swindon where these cars are made so it’s a bit of a home event for us.

"There’s always a good showing here from Honda UK so it’s always good to have a strong weekend here for them.

"I’m going to try and stick it on the front row!"

Early Thruxton pace-setter Jack Goff has silverware in his sights in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend (6/7 May) around a track that has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the Honda Civic Type R.

Goff has enjoyed a solid if somewhat under-the-radar start to the 2017 campaign after switching fromWest Surrey Racing’s rear-wheel drive BMW 125i M Sport to Eurotech’s front-wheel drive Civic, qualifying well and finishing inside the points in every race but thus far lacking the ultimate pace to challenge for the podium.

The 26-year-old was firmly on the pace in the Thruxton pre-event test, however – a day topped by his team-mate Jeff Smith – and Goff posted the benchmark lap time during FP1 today as he bids to concretise his potential with a return to the rostrum for the first time since Knockhill last summer.

“I look at our season so far in two different ways,” he reflected. “We’ve had two mediocre weekends where it hasn’t quite gone to plan, but we’re still sixth in the overall championship and third in the Independents’ so I think if we can put together a complete weekend rather than just one or two good races, we should be somewhere near where we need to be.

“Going back to front-wheel drive in the Honda Civic Type R has been great for me; the first time I jumped in it, I could tell how good it was. It probably isn’t the fastest car over a single lap in qualifying just due to its shape and drag, but certainly in the race it comes alive and that’s so important in touring cars. It doesn’t really have a weak track either.

“They’re a great bunch at Eurotech and I like to think I’ve brought a little bit to the team as well. We’ve admittedly put ourselves under some pressure this weekend after going so well in testing, but the Civic has proven to be quick at Thruxton in recent years so history is on its side and I want to go out there and bring the Eurotech boys and girls back some trophies.”

Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff has underlined his 2017 potential by setting the fastest lap in the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session at Thruxton.

"It’s been a great car ever since I started driving it – reliable and fast at both Brands and Donington – and I think we’re in for a good weekend at Thruxton," said Goff.

Honda machinery took up the top four positions in the recent test session at the Hampshire venue, and Matt Neal backed-up the Japanese marque's showing by taking second in FP1.

"The Civic Type R probably isn’t the fastest car over a single lap in qualifying just due to its shape and drag, but certainly in the race it comes alive and that’s so important in touring cars," continued Goff. "It’s not won on the first lap – it’s won over the whole distance – and we’ve seen in the past that it’s about being consistent throughout the season. The Civic doesn’t really have a weak track."

Adam Morgan and Andrew Jordan took a win apiece at Thruxton in 2016 and the pair have set the third and fourth fastest lap times this morning. Morgan's Mac Tools-backed Mercedes has always ran well at the UK's fastest track and he'll be a likely contender again this weekend, whilst Jordan's acclimatisation to a rear-wheel drive BMW continues to develop.

Ash Sutton was the standout Subaru performer with two podiums at Donington Park last time out, and the talented young gun picked up from where he left off by taking fifth here.

Chris Smiley, Matt Simpson and Dave Newsham were surprise packages in the top ten, whilst the Team BMW duo of Rob Collard and Colin Turkington will be content with seventh and tenth places respectively.

There was only one minor stoppage following an off for Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo driver Martin Depper, although the Ford Focus was able to recover to the pitlane with only cosmetic damage.  

The overall pace was still some half a second shy of the recent test session so we expect times to tumble further during free practice two at 12:35 and again in qualifying at 16:10, which you can see live via www.itv.com/btcc.

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Thruxton

1 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1m16.454s (110.93mph)
2 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +0.100s
3 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.134s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.391s
5 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.391s
6 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.690s
7 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.693s
8 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.701s
9 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.703s
10 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.773s
11 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +0.798s
12 Jake HILL (GBR) TAG Racing +0.865s
13 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.933s
14 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.940s
15 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat with Duo +0.946s
16 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.042s
17 Josh COOK (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +1.163s
18 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +1.182s
19 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +1.223s
20 Michael EPPS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.267s
21 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.327s
22 Daniel LLOYD (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +1.339s
23 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport +1.356s
24 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +1.358s
25 Luke DAVENPORT (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +1.407s
26 Will BURNS (GBR) Autoaid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.532s
27 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.570s
28 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +1.713s
29 Aron TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +2.145s
30 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +2.172s
31 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +2.389s
32 Josh PRICE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +2.477s

Ash Sutton produced a strong Sunday comeback at Donington Park with a trio of stand-out performances to take Dunlop’s #ForeverForward award after starting 31st on the grid in race one.

The Adrian Flux Subaru Racing man was excluded from qualifying as a result of a technical infringement. Come race day however, Sutton wasted no time in scything his way through the field.

Starting from the back row on the grid for the opening encounter, the Subaru was shuttled and shimmied through the pack to an impressive 13th. Come race two, he was on the podium – ten more positions gained on the way to third spot. More silverware followed in race three with another rostrum finish. 

Ollie Jackson in the AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts Audi S3 Saloon was the best of the Independent drivers over the course of three rounds, and best of the rest, after Sutton, with 22 places gained. Jake Hill made up 20 positions to make the #ForeverForward top three.

Young Scot Aiden Moffat sealed a popular first victory in the BTCC in Round 4, passing Tom Ingram’s Speedworks Toyota, Jack Goff and Rob Austin early on along the way. His stunning pass for the lead on Ingram on the run down through the Craner Curves was voted by fans as move of the race.

Sutton won the fan’s hearts, taking fan favourite in race two and in race three Adam Morgan won the vote with his stunning overtake into for third into the final corner, to win an edge-of-the-seat three-way battle between himself, Newsham and Sutton.

Other noteworthy performances came via Ant Whorton-Eales, who started 29^th and finished 16^th (13 places) in race one and Tom Chilton quietly made his way through the grid collecting an impressive 18 places in race two.

Jamie Stanton of Dunlop Tyres said: “It’s interesting to see the shake-up of the rankings following the first race at Brands. Sutton delivered well across the weekend and deserves his position at the top of the leader board for both the round and the championship to date.

“Colin Turkington has still managed to stay in the top three of the overall leader board following an incredible first round at Brands, but after only achieving nine place gains in round two, he must fight back to the challenge at the next race at Thruxton.”

#ForeverForward – Donington Park:

1) Ash Sutton 31
2) Ollie Jackson 22
3) Jake Hill 21

#ForeverForward – Overall Standings:

1) Ash Sutton 42
2) Colin Turkington 39
3) Jake Hill 38

Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport's Stephen Jelley heads to Thruxton looking to push on from a solid start and into 'more representative' territory for what both team and driver feel is capable machinery.

The BTCC returnee has completed each of the six rounds so far and believes now is the time to place his Ford Focus in and around the points-paying positions. 

"I’ve finished all of the races so far this season," said Jelley. "We’ve been fired off a couple of times and we had a puncture at Brands as well as some issues with the car where we’ve just about managed to drag it home.

"If I’m honest, I am a bit disappointed in our qualifying positions so far and in our performance and I’m sure we can do better.

"We showed a bit more of an indicative pace at Season Launch, around the edge of the points-paying spots and I think we should be shooting for anything around there.

"With the car the way it currently is, it’d be very hard to qualify in the top 10 but we should be well inside the top 20.

"Our Donington qualifying performance was abysmal. We went the wrong way on setup and now we've changed tack.

"We’ve made a conscious decision now to shadow both cars a little bit. We were very different which does make sense because you want to try things and bounce things off each other but we were so far apart that we couldn’t compare and contrast."

"Racing front-wheel drive is different to a rear-wheel drive car. You’ve got to make sure you get that front end into the corner because if the guy behind gets his nose up the inside he’ll drive straight by.

"There are always little tiny things to get your head around."

Jelley's visit to Thruxton in testing was his first around the Hampshire circuit in front-wheel drive machinery. Both Team Parker with Maximum Motorsport men along with a host of other drivers up and down the pit-lane have spoken about the value of lapping prior to racing here, given just how unique a prospect the track offers up.

"It was the first time I’d driven the car at Thruxton and the first time I’d driven a front-wheel drive car at Thruxton, so it’s a little bit different and I was just taking it steady to start off with. We’ve got two cars to compare the data and it was just about not doing anything too silly to begin with.

"The cars have the new tyre and the engine is slightly different to before. It’s important for me and Josh (Cook) to work together to get a baseline setup then one car can try something and the other can try something different to see what comes out on top at each race meeting. Testing gave us that chance to nail things down before we arrived here on the race weekend."

On the challenge of the 'old school' circuit Jelley sees things as a high speed balancing act.

"Thruxton's very unique. It’s different to any other circuit in the UK. Just in terms of the speed you’re travelling at and its bumpiness – you’re very aware that you’re travelling quickly.

"The car bounces so you get the occasional hop and the rear moves around so you’ve got a lot of steering input. The balance of the car and the major moments happen quite slowly.

"It moves around but then the rear might come around quite slowly but you’re still very aware of the speed you’re travelling it. It’s like balancing on a tightrope.

"You’re trying to get on the gas out the back as quickly as possible but if you drop a wheel off the track at 100-plus miles an hour, then it’s going to get your attention!"

AmDTuning.com with Cobra Exhausts will look to bring home points for the third Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting in succession when the series heads for Thruxton this weekend.
 
The West Thurrock-based team has enjoyed a solid start to the 2017 campaign, with drivers Ollie Jackson and Ant Whorton-Eales having both put points on the board at the wheel of their Audi S3 Saloons.
 
Jackson was perhaps unlucky to leave Donington Park last time out with just a single points finish to his name, having shown strong pace throughout race day in the East Midlands.
 
The 33-year-old has a good record at Thruxton in the past having scored points in four of the six races he has contested in AmDTuning.com colours – including a first points finish at the wheel of the S3 last year.
 
Jackson will be keen to try and add to that record this time around whilst also avoiding a repeat of the heavy accident he suffered back in 2014 at the challenging Church corner.
 
“I’m looking forward to seeing the safety improvements they’ve made at Church ahead of this season, although hopefully I’ll not be making use of them!” he said. “In all seriousness, I feel confident given the way that the season has started, and the aim is to try and bring home some points for a third successive meeting.
 
“We have shown strong pace on the harder compound tyre that we have to use this weekend, and hopefully that is something we can repeat and challenge for three good results.”
 
Rookie team-mate Whorton-Eales heads notched a maiden points finish in Leicestershire three weeks ago, where a strong drive in the second race of the weekend saw him rewarded with a 12th place finish.
 
A puncture in race three prevented the reigning Renault UK Clio Cup champion from wrapping up the Jack Sears Trophy during the second meeting of the year but Whorton-Eales heads for Hampshire keen for another crack.
 
“I’m heading to Thruxton taking the same approach as I did going to Donington Park,” he said. “I just want to keep improving and if I can beat the 12th spot I got last time out, I would be over the moon.

"I think that will be a lot harder this weekend, but saying that, the way we are heading with the set-up on the Audi means it should be good in terms of front tyre wear, which is very important at Thruxton.
 
“Had it not been for the slow puncture in race three at Donington Park, we were on to secure the Jack Sears Trophy, so getting that nailed this weekend is my main aim as it’s important for the championship that we put in a strong performance.”
 
Buoyed by the pace the team has shown so far this season, team boss Shaun Hollamby said he felt confident that both drivers would be able to challenge for points at the BTCC’s quickest circuit.
 
“Thruxton is a proper ‘old school’ circuit, and one that always provides exciting action – it really sorts the men from the boys,” he said. “We go there in confident mood after a strong performance on race day at Donington Park and with a car that should be well suited to the high-speed challenge that Thruxton provides.
 
“We know we are going back to Thruxton with a much better car than the one Ollie used to score points last season, and I have no doubt that both he and Ant will be in the mix to challenge for points across race day.
 
“If they were able to bring home points in all three races it would be fantastic, and it would also be good for Ant if he was able to secure the top rookie honours that he deserved with his performance last time out. I’m looking forward to it.”

We are sad to hear of the passing of Sir John Whitmore, BTCC champion back in 1961 when racing a 848 cc BMC Morris Mini-Minor which he had bought for just £400.

Underlining his talent as one of the greatest saloon car exponents of his era, John finished second in the overall classification the following season just two points behind the late Jack Sears. Further touring cars successes followed in a Lotus Cortina – notably when dominating the European Touring Car Championship in 1965 – as well as in sportscars.

John retired from the sport at the end of 1966 but, in recent times, had returned to driving at selected historic events.

The BTCC extends its sincerest condolences to John’s family and many friends.

PHOTO ©LAT

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with DUO has endured a tough start to 2017 but is hoping for a change in fortunes this coming weekend as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship gets set to tackle Hampshire’s flat-out Thruxton Circuit (6-7 May).

Following two difficult events at Brands Hatch and Donington Park, the Motorbase-run outfit heads to one of the most demanding tracks on the BTCC calendar looking to make up ground lost in a championship that is already one fifth of the way through.

Thruxton has been a happy hunting ground for Motorbase over the years. The Kent-based squad took a double win here last season with Mat Jackson and Andrew Jordan notching one victory apiece. The latter holds an impressive strike rate on the punishing track, celebrating race wins and podiums in all but one meeting in Hampshire since 2009.

“I love Thruxton as a circuit, it demands big commitment and a lot of balls! It’s exhilarating to drive and really is one of those circuits that gets the blood pumping," said the Henley-in-Arden racer.

“We’ve had some great results there in the past and I hope this weekend our luck will turn and we can get onto the podium and back into the fight for race wins.”

After a stalled start to the season, the outfit has its sights firmly set on a return to winning ways this weekend. 

Team Manager Oly Collins said: “After a tough weekend at Donington we're looking ahead to Thruxton with a mind to put things right. We recently completed a successful test there along with some of the competition and we're heading into the weekend full of vigour.
 
“The circuit is simply unique and one where you need to have the car nailed in every aspect. It’s as much of a chassis circuit as it is about power, aero and the driver - if you're lacking in any one of those areas it will show.
 
“We're aiming to open our podium account this weekend! We had two wins here last season; hopefully we can replicate that success again.”
 
Martin Depper added: “I’m looking forward to the weekend, I love the fast corners of Thruxton and we know that the Focus is strong there. Hopefully some warm weather and a little change of luck will see us start our championship challenge in earnest this weekend and get some points in the bag.”

“Consistency is the aim for me this weekend," said Luke Davenport. "Hopefully a strong start and then we can build from there and get a little closer to the sharp end of the action!

"I’ve only driven Thruxton once before, but I really like fast circuits and the way the car moves around at high speeds, so it should suit. Mat and the team have a great record there and both (Andrew) Jordan and Mat took a win in this car last year so it will be interesting to see how we fare.”

Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4 and via the ITV Hub on Sunday 7th May from 1115 – 1820. Live timing of Saturday’s qualifying session is also available at btcc.net/live between 1610 – 1640, along with both free practice sessions while itv.com/btcc will have the whole of qualifying streamed live from 1600.

BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan is looking to return to form at Hampshire's Thruxton Circuit this weekend (6-7 May) for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Jordan heads into the weekend sitting seventh in the standings after a challenging outing on home soil at Donington Park last time around. That came in contrast to what was a stunning victory on his first competitive outing in the BMW at Brands Hatch last month, which launched him into contention for a second BTCC crown to add to the one he claimed in 2013.
 
In Leicestershire, despite showing strong pace throughout at the wheel of his West Surrey Racing-run BMW 125i M Sport, Jordan was limited to a brace of 15^th place finishes – with contact from other drivers in two of the three races hampering his challenge.
 
Eager to put the Donington weekend behind him, the Midlander is seeking a second victory of the season at a circuit where he has traditionally gone well in the past.

In five of the last six seasons, in fact, he has left Hampshire with at least a podium finish to his name, including one 12 months ago when he secured an impressive victory in the second race of the weekend.
 
Pre-event testing at Britain's fastest circuit a fortnight ago saw the Pirtek-liveried machine set the fastest lap amongst the rear-wheel drive runners, with the 27-year-old now hoping to convert his pace into three strong results come race day.
 
“Donington last time out was a tough weekend as we showed great pace with the BMW but just didn’t have any luck,” said Jordan. “That’s behind us now, and the focus is firmly on securing the best results possible when we get to Thruxton.
 
“Its my favourite circuit on the calendar and it holds some great memories for me – and has provided a few highlights on YouTube of some ‘on the edge’ laps across the years! It’s a circuit that I am always excited about visiting, and this season is no different.

“Getting Church corner just right feels amazing and can set you up with a slipstream for a real passing opportunity at the chicane, but it takes huge commitment.
 
“One of the big strengths of the BMW is that it is good on its tyres, which is something that is particularly important over a race distance at Thruxton. My aim is to maintain the strong record I have shown there in the past and challenge for podium finishes, and obviously to try and secure a victory for a second successive season.

“After the disappointment of Donington, where we didn’t get the results our pace deserved, this is where we’ll aim to get our championship assault back on track.”
 
Qualifying will be broadcast live at itv.com/btcc on Saturday 6 May from 1600, the first of three BTCC races will be at 12.12 on Sunday, with race two at 14.32 and race three at 17.17. All of Sunday's action will be live on ITV4, ITV Hub and at itv.com/btcc.

Try this guys and see how good you are @ihgrewardsclub @DunlopBTCC https://t.co/32S19W7SSG pic.twitter.com/rZ49v6nwIR

— john cleland (@jclelandracing) April 29, 2017

It's not an easy feat of course, but you only need to beat the legend Cleland to stand a chance of winning! His video on the runners and riders is above, and we've seen from the www.podiumpredictor.com website that the Scotsman thinks Jeff Smith, Aiden Moffat and Gordon Shedden will all reach the top step of the rostrum at Thruxton.

You can enter your predictions NOW but you're free to change them right up until 3pm on the Saturday, meaning you can study the timesheets following both practice sessions!

See www.podiumpredictor.com for full terms and conditions, John's predictions and details on the prizes.

Good luck #BTCC fans!!