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BTCC 2012 Index

Chilton takes pole at Donington as Fords dominate

BTCC News | Sat 18th September 2010

Tom Chilton claimed his fourth pole position of the season at Donington Park this afternoon.

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Chilton's best time of 1:11.328 was enough to put him on pole ahead of fellow Team Aon driver Tom Onslow-Cole, who will start alongside him on the front row of the grid.

Despite the rapid pace of the Fords throughout the 2010 season, it’s only the second time that the pair has managed to lock out the front row in qualifying – the first was at Silverstone.

Rain threatened to make the 30-minute qualifying session a tricky one, but nothing more than a few drops fell in the end. However, the clouds overhead meant it was essential to get in a quick lap early in the session – just in case.

Jason Plato and Gordon Shedden had topped the day's free practice sessions, but Chilton soon hit the top of the times in this session.

There was a brief break in the session when Andy Neate's WSR BMW stopped in the gravel at Redgate, causing the red flags to come out with 13 minutes remaining.

The clouds persisted overhead, although the track stayed dry enough for slicks throughout the session. In the final few minutes, Shedden and Plato tried and failed to better Chilton's time, leaving the Ford on pole for Sunday's first race.

Chilton starts ahead of Onslow-Cole, with Shedden behind them in third.

Plato's best time of 1:11.542 was dis-allowed after he was adjudged to have cut the chicane. However, his second best time of 1:11.577 was enough to keep him in fourth.

Steven Kane was absent from the session, suffering from gearbox issues in his Airwaves BMW. Martin Depper also missed the session after damaging his engine in the first free practice session this morning.

The first of Sunday's three BTCC races is scheduled for 12.05PM.

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