Silverline Subaru BMR Racing's Jason Plato topped the times in the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship practice session at Knockhill, edging out the Speedworks Toyota of Tom Ingram by just 0.007s.

The session proved extremely close around the tight and twisty 1.27-mile circuit, with the top 22 drivers separated by less than a second.

Plato's mid-session lap bodes well for the tin-top legend as he looks to score his maiden pole position for Subaru, in what will be his 500th BTCC race tomorrow. It is the first time the double champion has set the pace in any practice or qualifying session so far this season, with the rear-wheel drive Levorg seemingly suiting the contours of Knockhill.

Ashley Sutton's MG and Adam Morgan's Mercedes were covered by 0.005s in third and fourth respectively, whilst Sam Tordoff and Andrew Jordan made it six different marques in the top six. Jordan suffered some disappointment, however, as his Pirtek Racing Ford Focus came to halt out on track with a tyre issue.

There was a second stoppage late on, which scuppered several drivers' chances of improving, leaving the young gun trio of Aiden Moffat, Josh Cook and Jack Goff next on the timesheets.

Honda's home hero Gordon Shedden rounded out the top ten as Halfords Yuasa Racing carried out its usual steady start to the opening practice session.

Final practice commences at 12:10, before the all-important qualifying session takes place at 15:50, which will be streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.

2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – FP1 – Knockhill:

1 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing 52.545s
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.007s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.189s
4 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +0.194s
5 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +0.306s
6 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.315s
7 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.318s
8 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.367s
9 Jack GOFF (GBR) Team IHG Rewards Club +0.371s
10 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 0.393s
11 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +0.446s
12 Jake HILL (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +0.479s
13 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +0.486s
14 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.487s
15 Hunter ABBOTT (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.599s
16 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +0.633s
17 James COLE (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.637s
18 Aron SMITH (IRL) BKR +0.638s
19 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.639s
20 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.839s
21 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.973s
22 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Eurotech Racing +0.996s
23 Stewart LINES (GBR) Maximum Motorsport +1.124s
24 Michael CAINE (GBR) TLC/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.203s
25 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.241s
26 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD Tuning.com +1.275s
27 Michael EPPS (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +1.314s
28 Alex MARTIN (GBR) Dextra Racing +1.383s
29 Mark HOWARD (GBR) BKR +2.131s
30 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +2.255s
31 Dan WELCH (GBR) Goodestone Racing +3.168s

West Surrey Racing's Rob Collard holds his lead in the Dunlop #ForeverForward standings heading into the Knockhill weekend after Andrew Jordan made his mark on the running at Snetterton, fighting through the field after starting race one from the back of the pack.

A steering issue halted any chance of Jordan making an appearance in qualifying, and he was charged with lining up for the weekend's opener 31st, and last, on the grid.

This didn't deter the Pirtek Racing man, however, as he set off on a charge from lights-out. Despite a further setback on the opening lap as he endured an off-track excursion, he clambered up into the points with a creditable P14 – 26 positions gained in all three rounds.

Jordan earmarked the weekend as an opportunity missed given team-mate Mat Jackson's podium and victory in Norfolk on a landmark weekend for Motorbase Performance as they hit their 300th race milestone in the championship.

Rob Austin is showing a consistent eye for a pass on race-day as he once more placed in the top three Dunlop #ForeverForward drivers of the weekend as he gained 20 positions at Snetterton.

It was a similar story for the Handy Motorsport man. After turning a corner in the two-day tyre test, Austin found himself contending with a suspension setup discrepancy come qualifying that left him down in a disappointing 24th spot.

The Evesham racer then battled his way back through the pack over the opening two rounds, making the top ten by the end of race two.

Starting ninth in the final bout, he stole a march on those around him on the opening lap of race three to place fourth by the time the field came around to complete the first tour. Fourth became third as Mat Jackson in the Motorbase Performance Ford was forced into retirement, and there Austin stayed – keeping Plato and the chasing pack at bay until the chequered flag.

With six events down, the results and standings are as follows – Drivers' Championship leader Rob Collard heads the pack:

Dunlop #ForeverForward drivers of the weekend

1 Andrew Jordan 26
2 Rob Austin 20
3 Jack Goff 19

Dunlop #ForeverForward overall standings

1 Rob Collard 94
2 Rob Austin 87
3 Martin Depper 81

AlcoSense will be giving away a Single Use Breathalyser to the first 7,500 spectators* through the gate at Knockhill Racing Circuit this weekend (13/14 August) - a total of £22,500 worth of breathalysers.

One in five drink drive convictions happen the morning after and AlcoSense Breathalysers is working with the BTCC to raise awareness of how easy it can be to unintentionally drink driving the morning after a few drinks by giving spectators the tools to test themselves the morning after the night before. Due to the lower limit of 0.50‰BAC (0.22mg/L in breath) in Scotland, which came into force in December 2014, these risks are even greater for Scottish drivers now than where at the old limit of 0.80‰BAC (0.35mg/L in breath). Studies show the human body processes 0.10-0.15 ‰BAC from the blood stream per hour. As a result it now takes someone 2-3 hours longer to get below the lower Scottish than it would have done at the old limit, therefore increasing the risk of unintentionally drink driving the morning after a few drinks.**

Hunter Abbott, Managing Director of AlcoSense said: “We’re proud to be giving away so many breathalysers to the public, it gives people the tools to be able to make an informed decision instead of relying of potentially fatal guesswork. If they find it useful each breathalyser comes with a 20% off voucher (expires 31^st August 2016) which can be used against the purchase of one of our re-useable breathalysers. With 52% of drivers underestimating how long it takes for alcohol to clear their system, I hope we might prevent a few people from driving the next day when they might have assumed they were clear.”

AlcoSense Breathalysers are available from Halfords and Boots nationwide and direct from alcosense.co.uk. AlcoSense single use breathalysers have an RRP of £2.99 and reusable breathalysers start at £39.99.

*Over 18’s only

**Source: Forensic Consulting Services

Independents' Championship leaders Motorbase Performance celebrated a victorious landmark Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship weekend at Snetterton two weeks ago.

Mat Jackson notched his third, and the outfit's fourth win of the season, as well as an opening race podium at the Norfolk track, commemorating its 300^th race in the BTCC in fine style. The results left Jackson, the current lead Motorbase man,  just over 30 points off the Drivers' summit.

“After a strong showing at Snetterton we're keen to keep the momentum going at Knockhill,” said Team Manager Oly Collins. “Both cars showed strong pace last time out with a brace of trophies and a win but also a chunk of bad luck which prevented both cars being on the podium. Hopefully that’s behind us now."

The team hold a 74 point lead at the top of the Independent Teams' standings, all focus is now on closing the gap to the overall leaders and a strong qualifying performance will be pivotal to squad’s success this weekend.

With space at a premium on the short and twisty circuit, Ford Focus wielding duo Mat Jackson and Andrew Jordan have a tough task ahead of them with a packed grid to contend with.

“Knockhill always throws up some unique challenges as a circuit so we expect another close weekend with strong competition,” added Collins.

“The BTCC has so far delivered another nail biting season for us all and the championship is still wide open.

"We’re in a really strong position heading to Scotland but we also know a lot can happen over the course of a race weekend!”

“We’re in a good place heading into this weekend at Knockhill," said Jackson.

"We enjoyed some good results there last year and on the back of a strong performance at Snetterton we’ve shown that the car is in the window. It’s great to have such a gap leading the Teams' Championship but our eyes are still on the main prize!”

Jordan said: “We’ve shed some weight off the car heading into this weekend which should help us in qualifying.

"I really like Knockhill. I’ve always gone well there, it’s a maximum attack circuit and the Focus has performed well there in the past so I think we should be strong.

"Wins and podiums are on the agenda and I’m looking forward to bouncing back from a tough weekend at Snetterton.”

Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the 2016 BTCC season take place at Knockhill circuit on 13/14 August.  Live coverage of Sunday's action will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11:00 – 1815; with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturday's qualifying session between 15:40 – 16:10.

Aiden Moffat harbours hopes of the podium once again on home turf with the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship's visit to Knockhill this weekend (13/14 August).

Last year, the Laser Tools Racing man did make his first visit to the BTCC rostrum but that wasn't decided until a move by Andy Prialux was reversed post-race.

The Scot's keen to taste the champagne first hand this time around, and with the performance of the Mercedes A Class around the undulating circuit last season there's reason to be optimistic even after an up-and-down Snetterton weekend.

"I’ve got mixed emotions really coming out of Snetterton," said Moffat. "We had a pretty poor qualifying – 14^th. Race one, we had a penalty which was a 30 second stop/go. So, to transform starting 23^rd in race two into a P8 finish is a pretty good achievement for us. It’s good to be back in the points but it’s another case of what could have been.

"Knockhill’s where I’ve done most of my racing throughout my career and it’s always a track I love going back to. It’s a great place to be, it’s a great track to drive and it’s always action packed racing there.

"I missed out on the champagne last year but it got reversed afterwards giving me my podium so hopefully this year we can be in a similar position but get to lift a trophy on one of the steps up there.

"It’s a short track and it’s a tight track so you need to be a bit rough to make moves. It’s not brilliant for us but it is for the people watching. It’s always good racing around there and it’s somewhere I used to go and love watching there but it’s now a bit more special watching from behind the wheel.

"I think the Subarus will be strong. It’s a great car and the track will be well suited to their car. There’s no reason the Mercedes’ of myself and Adam Morgan can’t be up their either though.

"Gordon always flies around there. It’s kind of a given now that he’s going to get a podium or two up there and he’s one of those drivers who can always fight his way back so he’ll be another name who you’d expect to be up there."

Tickets are still available for Knockhill circuit (13/14 August), the BTCC’s only venture north of the border. Prices start at just £37 for adult weekend tickets with discounts available for family bookings with children under 12 able to enter free of charge. For more information and to order tickets head to knockhill.co.uk or call 01383 723337.

Testing promise was fulfilled as Handy Motorsport scored its best-ever result in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with Rob Austin finishing on the podium, an impressive P3 in the final encounter of the weekend last time out at Snetterton.

During the two-day Dunlop tyre test back in June at the Norfolk circuit, the Handy squad worked hard to fight their way back having taken the wrong direction on car setup earlier in the season.

Progress had seemingly been quashed come the race weekend as the team struggled to put a finger on a suspension setup discrepancy that left Austin in the Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis languishing down in a disappointing 24th spot on the grid after qualifying.

"We were wrestling with a suspension problem all through qualifying," said Austin. "It left us wondering just what we had to do to get a break and when it was all going to come together.

"Originally where we went wrong was after qualifying for the opening round," Austin continued. "Having struggled with a cold right rear tyre on short runs we panicked and aborted our setup direction.

"At Oulton Park we finally got on top of it. From there, we didn’t have a chance to go testing and doing all your work over race weekends is slow going as you can’t make big sweeping changes and risk losing yourself again.

"The tyre test allowed us to take the bigger steps that we had been wanting to take and after a morning of trying a few things we put them all together and were right up the time sheets on old tyres.

"We really turned a corner there. The car had been mega and we came here genuinely expecting to qualify well into the top ten with the pace we’d shown."

With Saturday's issue rectified, a fightback ensued. The Evesham racer battled his way back through the pack over the opening two rounds, making the top ten by the end of race two. This left him in contention for the reverse grid draw, which he once more missed out on in another stroke of bad luck – the fourth time this season he has been in the pot and has seen his number remain there.

Starting ninth, he wasted no time as he stole a march on those around him on the opening lap of race three to place fourth by the time the field came around to complete the first tour. Fourth became third as Mat Jackson in the Motorbase Performance Ford was forced into retirement, and there Austin stayed – keeping Plato and the chasing pack at bay until the chequered flag.

It was a strong showing well earned, and a long time coming by Austin's own admission. By its nature though, the move from running his own outfit to entering the fold at Handy was one with more long-term outlook with time required for all parties to settle and learn.

"In race three everything came together. I missed the reverse grid pole for the fourth time this year so I was a bit gutted with that but in hindsight I’m glad we didn’t get it, we earned every position we gained. It’s been a big gap since my last podium and it feels longer than it actually has been.

"We knew we were struggling with the Audi. When I started talking to Simon (Belcher) last year, it was the long-term plan that I bought into.

"This team has got great potential and the Toyota is quick, which Tom (Ingram) has been proving. It’s just taken a while for Handy Motorsport to gel together.

"I’m coming from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive and from doing literally everything as a team boss to now just driving. My engineer Matt Taylor has also made the transition from rear to front so it’s a big learning curve and finally Simon has come from driving into management. It just takes a while to gel and to find the sweet spot and to know how to get there.

"Snetterton was great – the best result for Handy Motorsport, so it’s fantastic. Thanks to the fans and everyone at the team. Simon too, he kept a lot of faith in me.

"I think we’ve got a handle on things now and we always go well at Knockhill, so I’m looking forward to it."

Tickets are still available for Knockhill circuit (13/14 August), the BTCC’s only venture north of the border. Prices start at just £37 for adult weekend tickets with discounts available for family bookings with children under 12 able to enter free of charge. For more information and to order tickets head to knockhill.co.uk or call 01383 723337.

Power Maxed Racing has confirmed that Dave Newsham will be standing in for Kelvin Fletcher at Knockhill this weekend as Fletcher is expecting the birth of his first child.

Newsham will compete in rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on home soil north of the border, driving Fletcher's PMR Chevrolet Cruze ahead of the latter's return at Rockingham at the end of August.

"As much as I love the BTCC, and I love to race, the birth of my first child is not something I can miss, Liz is due any day now, and I just can't be in two places at once," said Fletcher.

"I feel like I have been making progress this year and am aware that I don't want to lose the momentum, and the BTCC demands 100% focus, but I want to be there to support Liz.

"It is great to see fellow PMR driver and local hero Dave step in for Knockhill, he has an excellent track record there, and I can't think of anybody I'd rather have to keep the seat warm."

Newsham said: "The BTCC has always held a special place in my heart, and when Adam (Weaver) approached me to stand in for Kelvin, I couldn't get the word yes out fast enough. The team and car were great last year and with the upgrades for this year; I can't wait to get back behind the wheel.

"Kelvin has made significant progress in the car this year but family is family, and we'll keep our ears open for baby news this weekend."

"Kelvin has been great this year, but we always knew that the birth of his first child would be close to the round in Knockhill so that a driver change would be a possibility," said Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal.

"We're delighted to have kept working with Dave and when we knew we had to find a stand in, there was no discussion, Dave was the man for the job."

Tickets are still available for Knockhill circuit (13/14 August), the BTCC’s only venture north of the border. Prices start at just £37 for adult weekend tickets with discounts available for family bookings with children under 12 able to enter free of charge. For more information and to order tickets head to knockhill.co.uk or call 01383 723337.

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of double champion and cherished member of the British Touring Car Championship community, Jack Sears.

'Gentleman Jack’ has been a popular and important part of the BTCC right throughout its near 60 year history, having seen it evolve from the British Saloon Car Championship which he won in its inaugural year of 1958 and again in 1963.

In recent seasons MSA British Touring Car Championship rookies have challenged for the 'Jack Sears Trophy', with which Jack helped to nurture and support the next crop of BTCC stars.

Everyone in the BTCC sends their condolences, thoughts and prayers to Jack’s family and friends at this difficult time.

The next Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship event, which takes place this coming weekend at Knockhill (13/14 August), will be marked with a minute's silence.

BTCC Series Director, Alan Gow, said: “It is with great regret and genuine sadness to learn of Jack’s death. I really liked Jack a lot... not only as an extremely talented and inspirational racing driver, but more importantly as a hugely popular, humble and impressive human being. Jack loved this championship and continued to play an active part in the BTCC right up until his passing. He will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the BTCC, but our immediate thoughts are with his family and closest friends at this time.”

WIX Racing’s Adam Morgan bounced back from troubled weekends at Oulton Park and Croft with three excellent top ten finishes at Snetterton last weekend.

Morgan was a firm championship contender after taking two wins earlier in the campaign, but the Ciceley Racing-run outfit looked surprisingly out of sorts during the events immediately prior to the mid-season break.

A positive test at Snetterton in July led to Morgan’s best ever BTCC qualifying run during the race weekend – the Mercedes man taking third at the Norfolk track.

He lost out to Mat Jackson’s Ford in the opening two races, but still brought home solid fourth and fifth place finishes.

“My WIX Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class just didn’t seem as good as yesterday, with the front and back of the car not being quite as sharp,” he commented after the contests. “I tried hard to catch Mat but that Ford Focus is really quick in a straight line so it was very tough.”

Adam ran third at the restarted final race, but again it was Jackson diving forcefully up the inside of the A-Class. As Morgan was nudged wide, he rubbed into Tom Ingram’s Toyota Avensis and both picked up damage. Adam dropped to ninth and spent the ten-lap race involved in huge battles, fighting for position and defending at the same time. By flagfall, the Ribchester Rocket had raced to a hard-fought seventh place.

“I got roughed up a bit at the start,” said Adam. “I was ahead going into the corner and got a massive whack in the side that forced me wide and I whacked Ingram. That dropped me to ninth but I was able to battle back to seventh, although the engine seemed to be losing a bit of power towards the end and I was losing about four lengths at the end of each straight.

“Three top ten finishes is a great result, though, after a difficult time at Oulton Park and Croft so all round it has been a very positive weekend and we go to Knockhill which has suited our car in the past.”