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British Touring Car Championship
Rockingham - Free Practice - 22/9/12

By MJP Media | 22 September 2012

Jason Plato lays down the gauntlet to his rivals at Rockingham as he tops the time sheets in both free practice sessions whilst the Honda Civics also put in a strong performance.

Jason Plato was fastest in both free practice sessions
Jason Plato was fastest in both free practice sessions

Following a disappointing meeting at Knockhill when his scored just 6 points, Jason Plato needs to score well in all 3 races at Rockingham to keep his championship hopes alive and he started the weekend well by setting the fastest time in the first free practice session. Behind the MG KX Momentum Racing driver, the Honda Civics were chasing hard with Honda Yuasa Racing Team team-mates Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal 2nd and 3rd and Pirtek Racing team-mates Jeff Smith and Andrew Jordan 4th and 5th. Plato's team-mate Andy Neate completed to top 6 places.

Reigning BTCC champion and current championship leader Matt Neal will be driving with a broken hand this weekend having injured it in a motorbike accident a couple of weeks ago. Neal, who broke the same hand last year in a martial arts session, had only just been given the 'all clear' from doctors to race this weekend. The 45-year-old from Worcestershire said: "It's worse than last year and bloody hurts, but bike riders have to deal with far worse so I'm going to keep my trap shut and get on with it". He continued: "I'll be heavily strapped up when I'm in the car and on painkillers.".

Andrew Jordan - 2nd fastest in free practice
Andrew Jordan - 2nd fastest in free practice

Jason Plato also topped the time sheets in the second free practice session, laying down the gauntlet by ending the session almost half a second faster than his nearest rival. The Honda Civics also did well again with Andrew Jordan 2nd fastest ahead of Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal. Mat Jackson improved on his 8th place in the first session to end the second session 5th fastest in his Redstone Racing Ford Focus ahead of Andy Neate.

With the 10 fastest drivers posting times within 1 second of Jason Plato in the second free practice session, the scene is set for an exciting qualifying session later this afternoon.

Mat Jackson in the Redstone Racing Ford Focus
Mat Jackson in the Redstone Racing Ford Focus

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