VX Racing dominated today’s qualifying session in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with Yvan Muller claiming pole position and Colin Turkington finishing second quickest. Gavin Smith, in the third VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, begins the first of tomorrow’s three races from eighth on the grid.

Torrential rain delayed the start of the qualifying session for around ten minutes, with the field eventually taking to the track, but only for two reconnaissance laps and to clear some of the standing water from the racing line. When the 30- minute session at the rain-drenched Irish circuit finally got underway it was immediately interrupted by a red flag just five minutes after the start, without any of the field setting a flying lap time. At the re-start the three VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars immediately demonstrated their authority with Turkington topping the time sheet and his team mates Muller and Smith close behind him in second and third respectively.

During a disrupted session, which saw two more red flags, it was Muller who proved to be the rain-meister. The Frenchman’s years of experience and expert car control shone through as he stormed into pole position with twelve minutes of the session remaining. Turkington traded positions with Luke Hines in the latter stages but the Ulsterman ultimately got the better of his rival to take second place on the grid on his last flying lap.

Meanwhile, Smith in the sister VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch struggled with the inclement conditions and the balance of the car. In a gritty performance the Dubliner battled through to finish in eighth place, but it was not the position in which he hoped to start in front of his home crowd.

VX Racing’s progress in the morning’s free practice sessions was equally disrupted as the team contended with four red flags for various incidents. Despite the interruptions, Turkington was the quickest VX Racing driver in the first session finish in third place, with Muller fifth and Smith eighth. In the second session Muller was quickest, with Turkington finishing third and Smith seventh after all three concentrated on optimising the balance of the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars.

The Mondello Park circuit and the difficult conditions today proved to be a huge challenge for most drivers. Tomorrow’s three BTCC races promise to deliver thrills and excitement as VX Racing aims to continue the winning form.

Yvan Muller

“It was a difficult qualifying session because of the red flags and getting the strategy right was hard. But fortunately we did it. I think there is still more to come from the car but you can’t be unhappy when you are on pole. The car was good in the wet and especially with the ballast, but it may be dry tomorrow and so we will have to wait and see.”

Colin Turkington

“There was a lot of pressure because I only had one lap to get it right, so it’s good to be on the front row. It was very difficult with all of the stops and re-starts. I had pole for quite a bit of the session, but I knew my time wasn’t quick enough to keep it. I’m pleased with the car and to be on the front row of the grid and have a good chance tomorrow.”

Gavin Smith

“I’m disappointed with that. It is the same handling characteristic on the car that we had trouble with at Croft – the front end is not working as it should. No matter what we do and what changes we make, it is frustrating because we are not improving. The weather didn’t really make that much of a difference for me today, wet or dry we are struggling to turn in. The team are working on the car right now and will be making changes ready for the races tomorrow. Hopefully we can turn it around and I can give the Irish fans something to cheer.”

The 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the first year of competition for the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. This year VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple-title winning success of the past four years.