After missing last year’s event at Knockhill, Rob Austin in his WIX Racing Audi A4 set about renewing himself with the Knockhill track by topping the first free practice session. Austin posted a 53.221s lap on a track, that seems to suit his all action style.
In a tight opening session, it was the MG KX Momentum MG6 of Jason Plato who led for most of the way. Before a late surge from Austin, Morgan and Matt Neal forced the experienced campaigner into fourth overall. It is very early days, but the pace of the top 18 drivers was covered by a mere one second and all within reach of Rob Collard’s current lap record (53.058s).
A somewhat surprised Austin commented:
“That’s surprised me, I do love this track. I like to be brave and that section out the back, allows you to do that.”
Austin himself will know that it is very early days and there is plenty of work to be done between now and race day (tomorrow); starting with another practice session at 12.10pm, before qualifying commences around 3.05pm this afternoon.
The top ten in FP1 were: Austin, Morgan, Neal, Plato, Collard, Jordan, Forster, Shedden, Newsham and Onslow-Cole.
BTCC debutants, Aiden Moffat, Kieran Gallagher and Mike Bushell had their first taste of action on track, all making steady progress in their first outing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Tickets for this weekend’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship can be purchased in advance via the Knockhill website. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate all weekend. Check our our spectator and event information blog – packed with useful info about this weekend.