BMW Dealer Team UK qualified in 13th place today for the sixth meeting of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton circuit, Norfolk.

Earlier in the day, Accident Exchange-backed Mat Jackson suffered a high-speed off in his BMW 320si at Coram after coolant fluid was dropped on the track. His session was brought to an early close as the 26-year-old returned to the pits. The team repaired the car in time for the second free practice.

Later in the day, the BTCC field took to the 1.95-mile track for the 30 minute qualifying session. Jackson, who was carrying 36 kilos of success ballast, set his time of 1.12.444 in the first part of the session. Qualifying was red flagged and the Henley-in-Arden-based driver was unable to improve on his time in the remaining 11 minutes.

Jackson commented, “That was a difficult qualifying session, the circuit seemed to lose a bit of grip as the day progressed which ultimately hampered my lap times. However, looking ahead it should make for an exciting first race tomorrow.”

Team Principal Chris Tee commented, “We lost some valuable track time this morning but the team did a good job to get the car back out for the second session. It was also a shame that qualifying was red-flagged as we were on our second run. It was close, had we been three tenths quicker we would have gained five places! ”

Race one for the British Touring Car Championship is at 11.10 with race two and three at 13.45 and 17.40 respectively.

Qualifying Times

1. J Plato              (SEAT)  1:11.145s
2. D Turner             (SEAT)  +0.491
3. G Shedden            (Honda)         +0.122
4. F Giovanardi (Vauxhall)      +0.542
5. T Chilton            (Honda)         +0.569
6. T Onslow Cole        (Vauxhall)      +0.643
7. C Turkington (BMW)   + 0.886
8. S Kane               (BMW)   +1.090
9. A Jones              (SEAT)  +1.094
10. S Jelly             (BMW)   +1.215
13. M Jackson   (BMW)   +1.299