Reigning champion James Thompson came back on form during both practice and qualifying sessions for rounds 11 and twelve of the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship, at the Yorkshireman's 'home circuit'.

The first morning practice session saw all three VX Racing drivers putting in strong lap times, with James confirming the fastest at 1 min. 26.465. Yvan Muller, carrying his winner's ballast from previous rounds' success, put in a time less than two tenths behind James, and Paul O'Neill took fourth fastest time behind Honda's Matt Neal. The second practice session saw a reversal of fortunes with championship leader Yvan Muller taking fastest time of 1 min. 26.524 followed by Matt Neal, and James Thompson posting a time of 1 min. 26.936. Paul O'Neill claimed a respectable fifth fastest position with a time of 1 min. 27.147.

In afternoon qualifying however, James Thompson quickly proved that he had recovered the form which brought him the championship title last year, setting the fastest time of the qualifying session, of 1 min 26.446, on only his second lap. Paul O'Neill also put in quick times but with a best of 1 min 26.932 not sufficient to stop the three Hondas of Matt Neal, Alan Morrison and Tom Chilton taking the next places on the grid behind Thompson. Yvan Muller struggled to fulfil the promise he had shown in the earlier practice sessions, producing a best lap time of 1 min. 26.970 and taking sixth position on the grid for the next day's racing.

James Thompson:

"I've been accused by my colleagues of knowing a shortcut because I'm on my home turf! Seriously though, I feel comfortable that I'm back on form; the car was balanced and our set up worked well. I'm sure tomorrow's racing will see some sport into that first corner, with the three Hondas around me on the grid, but I like to think of them as escorting me around the first bend! And, of course, I'm looking for a win tomorrow for VX Racing, although I also want to take some of those points away from Yvan. If I don't beat Yvan in the championship, it won't be for a lack of me trying."

Yvan Muller:

"Of course I'm disappointed with my result in qualifying. I can't put it down to anything particularly, just that it failed to happen in the end after a strong performance in both practice sessions this morning. I certainly anticipated that I would be able to qualify in second, third or fourth place, even with the weight I'm carrying. I have the MGs behind me on the grid but it is not my intention to 'play' with the guys following me: I am more interested in dealing with the competition in front."

Paul O'Neill:

"I was disappointed with that qualifying session. I was in the middle of a fast lap around Bancroft but Richard Marsh in the Peugeot 306 didn't see me and I ended up going off. So under the circumstances I've qualified well. I don't know Croft that well but I'm looking forward to racing tomorrow and just getting on with the job in hand."

Mike Nicholson:

"It's good to see James back on form, and Yvan is a talented driver and will do his best tomorrow to come back from behind. Paul O'Neill regularly proves himself in the races too, so I look forward to some good racing tomorrow and some strong results for VX Racing."