Mat Jackson smashes lap record en route to Silverstone pole

Mat Jackson smashed the Silverstone lap record as he stormed to a dominant pole position around the Northamptonshire circuit.

The Motorbase Performance driver managed to post a time of just 58.078 seconds around the small Silverstone National circuit, a clear two tenths of a second faster than the rest of the field. The previous lap record was a 58.210 set by Jason Plato in 2013.

While Jackson dominated the top of the time sheets, there was a huge battle for the remaining positions, with positions chopping and changing every few seconds.

Gordon Shedden won the battle for second, posting a time of 52.284, with Sam Tordoff putting in a last gasp lap to push Andrew Jordan out of third position.

Power Maxed Racing were able to capitalise on their pace in free practice, but only on one side of the garage as Dave Newsham qualified in fifth place, while Josh Cook had to settle for 16th at the end of the 30 minute session.

Colin Turkington took the sixth fastest time after setting the third fastest time twice, only to have both laps taken away from him for track limits infringements.

Championship contenders Matt Neal and Jason Plato were unable to put in a top time, with Plato taking 10th, while Neal had to settle for 11th. Andy Priaulx also struggled, only setting the 22nd fastest time, but will start from the back of the field for race one on Sunday after receiving his third strike at Knockhill.