Brands Hatch: Local drivers set the pace in Free 1

Best times for Rob Huff and Andy Priaulx

By Franck Drui

17 July 2010 - 11:23
Brands Hatch: Local drivers set the (…)

Chevrolet’s Rob Huff (1:33.761) made a promising start to his home race, ending quickest in first practice this morning as the FIA WTCC took to the 3.7-kilometre Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit for the first time this weekend. Andy Priaulx (1:33.808) was second ahead of his own team mate Augusto Farfus (1:33.902) and Gabriele Tarquini (1:34.007) who ended his session in the gravel.

Half way through the 30-minute session the red flag came out as Michel Nykjær went sideways under braking into Paddock Hill making a heavy impact with the barriers. His SUNRED Engineering will now work to fix the front end of his SEAT León TDI before the next sessions. Andy Priaulx was quickest as the red flag came out, the Guernseyman hoping for a good showing at his home event.

The red flag came out again ending the session early after reigning champion Tarquini beached his SEAT León TDI in the gravel at Druids with two minutes left on the clock.
Chevrolet’s Yvan Muller was fifth with Alain Menu sixth after both posting an identical time of 1:34.132. Colin Turkington (1:34.183) was the quickest Independent after another strong performance in seventh.

Sweden’s Robert Dahlgren made an impressive debut to finish ninth in his Volvo C30. The season newcomer joins the WTCC at Brands Hatch for the first of two outings this season. The other newcomer, Chevrolet’s Brazilian “Cacá” Bueno had a cautious approach to set the 19th fastest lap.

Britain’s Tom Boardman (1:34.531) finished 13th on his season debut while Darryl O’Young (1:34.758) was the top rookie in 14th.

Pos. Driver Car Time Gap
01 R. Huff Chevrolet Cruze 1.33.761
02 A. Priaulx BMW 320si 1.33.808 + 0.047
03 A. Farfus BMW 320si 1.33.902 + 0.141
04 G. Tarquini Seat Leon TDI 1.34.007 + 0.246
05 Y. Muller Chevrolet Cruze 1.34.132 + 0.371
06 A. Menu Chevrolet Cruze 1.34.132 + 0.371
07 C. Turkington BMW 320si 1.34.183 + 0.422
08 J. Gene Seat Leon TDI 1.34.251 + 0.490
09 R. Dahlgren Volvo C30 1.34.320 + 0.559
10 T. Monteiro Seat Leon TDI 1.34.330 + 0.569
11 Tom Coronel Seat Leon TDI 1.34.405 + 0.644
12 K. Poulsen BMW 320si 1.34.505 + 0.744
13 T. Boardman Seat Leon 1.34.531 + 0.754
14 D. O’Young Chevrolet Lacetti 1.34.758 + 0.997
15 F. Barth Seat Leon TDI 1.35.028 + 1.267
16 S. Hernandez BMW 320si 1.35.056 + 1.295
17 N. Michelisz Seat Leon TDI 1.35.065 + 1.304
18 F. Engstler BMW 320si 1.35.385 + 1.624
19 C. Bueno Chevrolet Cruze 1.35.400 + 1.639
20 S. D’Aste BMW 320si 1.35.499 + 1.738
21 M. Nykjaer Seat Leon TDI 1.35.512 + 1.751
22 H. Vaulkhard Chevrolet Lacetti 1.36.011 + 2.250
23 Tim Coronel BMW 320si 1.36.606 + 2.845
24 M. Bennani BMW 320si 1.36.667 + 2.906

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