The second BTCC practice session of the weekend at Thruxton saw Chris Smiley top the times ahead of qualifying.
The conditions were much more favourable for drivers in this session with no rain and the track drying quickly. Drivers were keen to get out as soon as possible and get some laps under their belts after a wet FP1 session.
Ingram flying around Thruxton
Tom Ingram took the early honours after not setting a time in FP1. He more than made up for it in FP2, setting the initial pace and dipping below the BTCC qualifying lap record. He traded fastest laptimes early on with title rival Ash Sutton who looked very quick in the damp conditions in FP1.
Smiley shatters lap record
With the track ramping up, Chris Smiley became the first ever BTCC driver to lap Thruxton in the 1:14 second bracket. He topped the times in his Restart Racing Hyundai with a 1:14.951. Ingram’s fastest time was enough for second, just eight thousandths of a second adrift of Smiley. Charles Rainford put his BMW in third place with Dan Cammish in fourth. The top four were extrememly close, just seven hundredths seperated Smiley and Cammish.
Ash Sutton continued to show his pace from FP1 and slotted into fifth place. He was ahead of Senna Proctor in the Team Virtu Hyundai who returns after four years away from the BTCC. Dan Lloyd finished the session in seventh just ahead of Adam Morgan. Toyota’s Aron Taylor-Smith and defending champion Jake Hill rounded out the top 10 positions.
Qualifying is next up at Thruxton and with rain forecast and close margins so far in practice, we could be treated to an incredible session. Who do you think will claim pole position for round 10?
Feature Image: BTCC