Jonathan Adam on top at the Rock

Jonathan Adam in the Airwaves BMW was fastest in the first practice session for this weekend’s round of the British Touring Car Championship at the Rockingham circuit. VX Racing show pace with second, third and fifth in the session.

Championship contender Fabrizio Giovanardi was third fastest in his Vauxhall Vectra. The two Team Aon Focus’s show their Silverstone pace was no fluke, ninth and tenth for Tom Chilton & Tom Onslow-Cole respectively.

Matt Hamilton on his BTCC debut managed to finish the session in 19th place, ahead of his experienced TH Motorsport team mate John George.

Gordon Shedden in his first race since his great run at Knockhill was 13th fastest, just 1.1s down on pace setter Jonathan Adam.

Most concerning is the random pace of the three Team RAC cars, with Stephen Jelley the fastest of the three in 7th. Championship leader Colin Turkington was only 11th, and ‘ringer’ Reid 15th fastest in the BMW 320si.