Photo: PSP Images

Matt Neal tops damp first practice

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Honda Racing Team have topped the first practice session at Thruxton in wet conditions – with Matt Neal leading team mate Gordon Shedden.

In a wet session which continued to dry, 2007-2008 champion Fabrizio Giovanardi led the way in the independent Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra, but at the end of the session first Shedden, then Neal improved to the top step.

Jason Plato was fourth fastest in the Chevrolet Cruze, six tenths behind Neal’s time.

Tom Chilton put the LPG powered Ford Focus fifth fastest, right ahead of the NGTC powered Vauxhall Vectra of Andrew Jordan.

BTCC newcomer Alex MacDowall, interviewed by TouringCarTimes.com here, was seventh fastest ahead of fastest BMW-man, Matt Jackson of Airwaves BMW.

Many teams were focusing on getting in some running in after only a few laps set in testing last week – with Andy Neate & Martin Johnson actually setting the most laps in the session.