Aron Taylor-Smith topped the times in the opening Free Practice session of Oulton Park’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship weekend this morning (Saturday).
The Irishman set the benchmark time in the final moments of the session in bright conditions at the Cheshire venue, lapping the Island layout in 1m24.922s on his last flying lap. That was enough for the Vauxhall Astra racer to edge out Daniel Rowbottom by just 0.036s, with the latter also setting his best time late during the 35-minute session.
Ronan Pearson was third fastest as the chequered flag fell, just over two-tenths shy of Taylor-Smith’s pace setting best. Pearson just edged out his teammate and 2022 champion Tom Ingram for third fastest in a session where the Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS Hyundais showed strongly.
Dan Cammish completed the top-five in the second of NAPA Racing UK’s Fords, two-tenths behind stablemate Rowbottom ahead of a trio of WSR-prepared BMWs. Jake Hill was the first of the German machines as he aims to continue his strong mid-season form, with Team BMW entrants Adam Morgan and Colin Turkington seventh and eighth.
Reigning champion Ash Sutton was ninth fastest ahead of Tom Chilton who completed the top-10.
The BTCC runners will return to the track for a second Free Practice session ahead of Qualifying at 3.55pm.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Oulton Park, Free Practice 1
- Aron Taylor-Smith, Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing, Vauxhall Astra, 1m24.922s
- Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.036s
- Ronan Pearson, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS, Hyundai i30N, +0.204s
- Tom Ingram, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS, Hyundai i30N, +0.228s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.282s
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.311s
- Adam Morgan, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.606s
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.609s
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.653s
- Tom Chilton, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS, Hyundai i30N, +0.759s
Click here for full timings from this weekend.