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British Touring Car Championship
Brands Hatch - Free Practice - 2/4/11

By MJP Media | 2 April 2011

Andrew Jordan is fastest in both free practice sessions however a massive accident rules Gordon Shedden out of the qualifying session for the 1st race tomorrow.

After months of waiting, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finally takes to the track for the start of the 2011 season with the first of two visits this year to Brands Hatch in Kent.

The first BTCC action on the 1.2 mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit was the free practice sessions. Top of the time sheets in both sessions was Andrew Jordan in his Pirtek Racing Vauxhall Vectra. Jason Plato also performed well in his Silverline Chevrolet Cruze, being 2nd fastest in the first session and 3rd fastest in the second session behind the Team Aon Global Ford Focus of Tom Chilton.

Gordon Shedden was also running well in the first session, posting the 3rd fastest time, however 8 minutes before the end of the session he crashed his Honda Racing Team Civic into the barrier at Paddock Hill Bend at high speed, destroying the front of the car. The cause of the crash is still being investigated but Shedden was not injured in the accident. His car on the other hand was severely damaged and it is unlikely that the mechanics will be able to get it ready in time for this afternoon's qualifying session. If so, Shedden will have to start the first race of the season from the back of the grid - a great disappointment for the Scot.

Tom Boardman showed signs of great things to come with his Special Tuning Racing SEAT Leon posting the 4th fastest time in the second session. At the other end of the time sheets, the Next Generation Touring Cars of Tony Hughes and Frank Wrathall posted the slowest times, however it is very early days for the new full-specification NGTC cars. Expect them to improve as the season progresses.

Next up is the all-important qualifying session for the first race of the 2011 season. Will Andrew Jordan be able to convert his performance in free practice to take pole position? We'll find out shortly.

 

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