BTCC Testing @ Snetterton
24 June 1999
VOLVO HEADS OFFICIAL TOCA TEST Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk Weather: bright, dry After two days of official testing at Snetterton, there was little to choose between the top runners in the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship. Nissan's Laurent Aiello, fastest on day one, had to be content with second today, as Volvo's Rickard Rydell ducked inside his time with just minutes of this afternoon's session remaining. This was the first visit of the year to the challenging Norfolk circuit, scene of rounds 15 and 16 of the BTCC on 17 July. Although all teams reported significant progress in developing the set-up of their cars, there is some doubt as to how representative today's times will be come the races. For the first time in the history of the championship, the rounds at Snetterton will be held at night, under the glare of thousands of high-powered lights. "I think we have progressively improved over the last month," said reigning champion Rydell. "The speed has been there for the last couple of meetings and it has only been a lack of reliability that has cost us good finishes. We have completed two days here with no problems at all and that is a good sign. I think we are now within reach of the Nissans and well set for a strong challenge at Croft next weekend." For Aiello, winner of six of the 12 races so far this year, this week's test offered the chance to overcome a relatively disappointing performance at Donington Park last weekend. "For sure, I did not enjoy Donington very much," said the Frenchman, despite finishing second in the Feature race. "I had no grip at the front of the car and could not accelerate out of the corners. This test has been very constructive. We were quickest in testing at Croft, so we go there with confidence." TOP TEN TIMES FROM SNETTERTON WEDNESDAY JUNE 23 1. Laurent Aiello (Fra) Nissan Primera 1:08.042s 2. Rickard Rydell (Swe) Volvo S40 1:08.394s 3. David Leslie (GB) Nissan Primera 1:08.413s 4. James Thompson (GB) Honda Accord 1:08.682s 5. J-C Boullion (Fra) Renault Laguna 1:08.781s 6. Jason Plato (GB) Renault Laguna 1:08.910s 7. Vincent Radermecker (B) Volvo S40 1:08.957s 8. Matt Neal (GB) Nissan Primera 1:08.975s 9. Peter Kox (Hol) Honda Accord 1:08.989s 10.Anthony Reid (GB) Ford Mondeo 1:09.157s THURSDAY JUNE 24 1. Rickard Rydell (SWE) Volvo S40 1:07.911s 2. Laurent Aiello (FRA) Nissan Primera 1:07.997s 3. David Leslie (GB) Nissan Primera 1:08.059s 4. Peter Kox (HOL) Honda Accord 1:08.060s 5. Vincent Radermecker (BEL) Volvo S40 1:08.111s 6. James Thompson (GB) Honda Accord 1:08.265s 7. Jason Plato (GB) Renault Laguna 1:08.610s 8. J-C Boullion (FRA) Renault Laguna 1:08.649s 9. Matt Neal (GB) Nissan Primera 1:08.688s 10. John Cleland (GB) Vauxhall Vectra 1:08.877s Editors note: Rounds 13 & 14 of the Auto Trader BTCC take place at Croft on Sunday 4 July. The BTCC night races (rounds 15 & 16) will take place at Snetterton on Saturday 17 July.