BTCC: Qualifying from Snetterton
18 July 1999
NISSAN TAKES DOUBLE POLE FOR BTCC NIGHT RACES QUALIFYING - ROUNDS 15 & 16 Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk 17/7/99 The front row of both grids for tonight's rounds of the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton have been monopolised by Nissan drivers Laurent Aiello and David Leslie. Series leader Aiello holds pole position for both races having outpaced his Primera team mate in this afternoon's two qualifying sessions around the high-speed Norfolk circuit. With both races taking place this evening under cover of darkness Aiello knows how crucial it could be to start from the front. "It is going to be really exciting," said the Frenchman. "For sure, the best place to be will be in the lead. From there you can make certain you stay out of trouble. There could be a lot of contact in the midfield, but if I can get a good clean get-away, I should be able to control the race from the front." David Leslie will be hoping to get past his team mate, but knows that the safety of both cars is paramount. "Hopefully I can out-drag Laurent into the first corner, but of course we must make sure that we don't take each other off. It has been a great performance for the team today and now we have to capitalise on it this evening." Behind the Nissans, Rickard Rydell and James Thompson complete an identical top four in both races. Volvo's reigning champion Rydell is looking forward to the thrill of racing after dark. "I think it is a great idea to try something new. We had a full test session last night and it was fine, so I think that tonight's races should be very exciting." James Thompson, lying second in the championship after a recent run of form, was disappointed not to have been higher on the grid. "We went quicker this afternoon than we did in the earlier session, but it's still not as good as we managed yesterday in testing." Rounds 15 and 16 of the Auto Trader BTCC take place at Snetterton tonight (Saturday) under the glare of the lighting towers. The 17-lap Sprint race will start at 8.50pm as the evening draws in, followed by the 34-lap Feature race under cover of full darkness at 11pm. A huge crowd has already assembled at the Norfolk circuit for tonight's event and thousands more are expected to flock to the track to enjoy the unique atmosphere after dark. AUTO TRADER BTCC QUALIFYING REPORT Snetterton Circuit - Saturday, 17 July 1999 Qualifying - BTCC round 15 - One Shot Shootout Weather: bright, sunny 1. Laurent Aiello (Fra) Nissan Primera 1min 08.331sec 102.84mph 2. David Leslie (GB) Nissan Primera 1:08.644 3. Rickard Rydell (Swe) Volvo S40 1:08.711 4. James Thompson (GB) Honda Accord 1:08.898 5. J-C Boullion (Fra) Renault Laguna 1:09.346 6. Vincent Radermecker (Bel) Volvo S40 1:09.419 7. Matt Neal* (GB) Nissan Primera 1:09.468 8. Jason Plato (GB) Renault Laguna 1:09.583 9. Yvan Muller (Fra) Vauxhall Vectra 1:09.712 10. Will Hoy* (GB) Renault Laguna 1:10.008 11. John Cleland (GB) Vauxhall Vectra 1:10.065 12. Paula Cook* (GB) Honda Accord 1:10.473 13. Lee Brookes* (GB) Honda Accord 1:10.583 14. Alain Menu (Swi) Ford Mondeo 1:10.729 15. Mark Blair* (GB) Vauxhall Vectra 1:11.358 16. Anthony Reid (GB) Ford Mondeo 1:19.851 17. Peter Kox (Hol) Honda Accord no time Qualifying - BTCC round 16 - Feature Race Weather: bright, sunny 1. Laurent Aiello (Fra) Nissan Primera 1min 08.379sec 102.76mph 2. David Leslie (GB) Nissan Primera 1:08.816 3. Rickard Rydell (Swe) Volvo S40 1:08.937 4. James Thompson (GB) Honda Accord 1:08.959 5. Peter Kox (Hol) Honda Accord 1:09.266 6. Alain Menu (Swi) Ford Mondeo 1:09.398 7. Vincent Radermecker (Bel) Volvo S40 1:09.405 8. Jason Plato (GB) Renault Laguna 1:09.477 9. Yvan Muller (Fra) Vauxhall Vectra 1:09.496 10. Matt Neal* (GB) Nissan Primera 1:09.561 11. J-C Boullion (Fra) Renault Laguna 1:09.642 12. Anthony Reid (GB) Ford Mondeo 1:09.802 13. Will Hoy* (GB) Renault Laguna 1:09.925 14. John Cleland (GB) Vauxhall Vectra 1:10.122 15. Lee Brookes* (GB) Honda Accord 1:10.398 16. Paula Cook* (GB) Honda Accord 1:10.633 17. Mark Blair* (GB) Vauxhall Vectra no time * Entries registered for the Michelin Cup for Independents