Thruxton qualifying: Onslow-Cole on pole

Tom Onslow-Cole has secured pole position for the second meeting in a row for the first of tomorrow’s three races at Thruxton. Vauxhall team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi followed in second, while Team Halfords’ Gordon Shedden will start third on the grid.

Click here for full qualifying times.

Today’s pole position marks the second pole position in a row for the VX Racing driver and also serves as an ideal birthday present after he celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday.  “It was a pretty hairy lap - I really couldn’t have wrung much more from it,” Onslow-Cole told BTCC.net. “I’ve definitely hit on a great set-up with the car. I’ve come into the team, learnt from my team-mates and then added a few tweaks to suit my style.

“I had pole at Donington Park a few weeks ago but couldn’t get the win. If I do get a win tomorrow then that’s a bonus - the most important thing is scoring well in all three races. The wins will come…”

Fabrizio Giovanardi put the tyre problems that he had in both practice sessions earlier behind him as he took second on the grid. He will be followed by Scot Gordon Shedden in tomorrow’s round 10, although the Honda Civic driver was lucky to not have his times disallowed after failing a ride height check before the stewards decided this was as a result of an excursion.

SEAT driver Jason Plato was not graced with the same luck as his rival, the diesel Leon failing a ride height check and having all lap times annulled. Plato duly went out with three minutes left in the session and managed to take sixth on the grid.

Click here for full qualifying times.