Jason Plato takes controversial pole at Rockingham

Jason Plato has taken pole position at Rockingham with Paul O’Neill making it an all Chevrolet front row, but in controversional circumstances as Plato and long-time rival Matt Neal almost come to blows after qualifying.

A short shower before the beginning of the session messed with everyones tyre plans, but it was quickly realised after a few laps that the circuit was already dry enough for slicks.

After half way through the session, Frank Wrathall was looking strong, quickest in the Dynojet Racing Toyota Avensis, before Jason Plato went quickest of all in the RML Chevrolet Cruze. Plato’s time was soon outdone by Honda driver Gordon Shedden, and then Tech-Speed’s Paul O’Neill, before Plato improved again to take the pole spot just before Liam Griffin brought out the red flag with 3:30 to go.

When the session restarted, with only enough time for two laps, the cars jostled for position on their outlap as though it was a race of its own, with Andrew Jordan and Tony Gilham first sneaking out to queue at the end of the pits, with Gordon Shedden and Tom Onslow-Cole overtaking Gilham on the outlap to ensure they had track position.

Plato also overtook Matt Neal’s Honda on the green flag lap and held station ahead of Neal on their flying lap. Neal appeared to be under the impression that he was baulked by the Chevrolet driver, pitting at the end of his run and challenging the reigning champion in the pits at the end of the session, with team members having to restrain the two bitter rivals.

Few improvements came in the final part of the session, which means Jason Plato will start from pole position with the Tech-Speed Chevrolet of Paul O’Neill alongside. Rob Austin takes his career best qualifying with third in his Audi A4, with Matt Neal fourth.

The first race is at 11:30 BST on Sunday.