Thruxton Practice 1: Giovanardi leads despite puncture

Vauxhall’s Fabrizio Giovanardi showed that he was the man to beat this morning in Thruxton Free Practice 1 by setting a fastest lap time of 1:18.359 despite suffering from a tyre deflation during the session.

The Italian, current points leader and carrying maximum success ballast set a time that was 0.235 seconds clear of the rest of the field, including the diesel-powered SEAT Leon’s with their increased top end speed. Giovanardi has a brilliant track record at the circuit near Andover, taking 4 out of 6 wins at the track last year in the Vectra which goes well around the circuit due to its strong engine. He headed up Team Halfords’ Tom Chilton, who also enjoys the Thruxton circuit, and team-mate Tom Onslow-Cole.

There were several incidents during the session for other drivers, with Steven Kane suffering a power steering pump failure, Chris Stockton enduring an off that resulted in the loss of his SEAT Toledo’s radiator and front splitter at Church corner and Robertshaw Racing’s Harry Vaulkhard having a high-speed spin resulting in four complete 360 degree rotations for the Chevrolet Lacetti.

Top 10 times:

1. Fabrizio Giovanardi, 1:18.359
2. Tom Chilton, +0.235
3. Tom Onslow-Cole, +0.457
4. Darren Turner, +0.477
5. Colin Turkington, +0.668
6. Gordon Shedden, +0.726
7. Jason Plato, +0.786
8. Andrew Jordan, +0.790
9. Matt Neal, +0.955
10. Mike Jordan, +1.075