Brands Hatch BTCC testing, Aiello and Leslie go head to head at Brands

29 August 1999

News from the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship

Brands Hatch, Kent - Saturday, 28 August 1999

AIELLO AND LESLIE GO HEAD TO HEAD AT BRANDS

Weather: sunshine

Nissan drivers Laurent Aiello and David Leslie were separated by just five hundredths of a second in official testing for this weekend's rounds 21 & 22 of the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch. The Primera pilots are engaged in a titanic struggle to secure the 1999 drivers' championship and both know that a good result on Bank Holiday Monday could be crucial to their aspirations.

"We have not had to work as hard all season as we did today," confessed Scot Leslie, who is aiming to become the first British BTCC champion since compatriot John Cleland in 1995. "Laurent and I have gone down different routes in terms of setting up the car for this weekend and by the looks of the times we've done OK. But we all know that today is just a dress rehearsal - being at the top tomorrow afternoon is what's important."

Also showing well at the Kent circuit this afternoon were the three drivers embroiled in a scrap for third place in the championship. Honda's James Thompson, the current holder of third position, emerged quickest in the group this afternoon, but the Yorkshireman knows he will face a stiff challenge from Renault's Jason Plato and Volvo's Rickard Rydell.

After two qualifying sessions tomorrow (Sunday) rounds 21 & 22 of the BTCC will take place at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday (Aug 30).

TOP TEN TIMES FROM BRANDS HATCH INDY CIRCUIT

1. Laurent Aiello (Fra) Nissan Primera 46.442sec 95.03mph

2. David Leslie (GB) Nissan Primera 46.501s

3. James Thompson (GB) Honda Accord 46.537s

4. Jason Plato (GB) Renault Laguna 46.665s

5. Rickard Rydell (Swe) Volvo S40 46.670s

6. Matt Neal (GB)* Nissan Primera 46.707s

7. J-C Boullion (Fra) Renault Laguna 46.875s

8. Vincent Radermecker (Bel) Volvo S40 46.876s

9. Anthony Reid (GB) Ford Mondeo 46.893s

10. Alain Menu (Swi) Ford Mondeo 46.920s