The 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship got underway at Brands Hatch this morning, with James Thompson topping the times in the opening free practice session.

Thompson, in the all-new SEAT Leon Cupra, set a time of 49.064 seconds around a predominantly dry Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Finishing the session in second was Thompson’s SEAT Sport UK teammate, and fellow former champion, Jason Plato, lapping at 49.229 seconds.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the first driver out on track was VX Racing’s Tom Chilton, who set a best laptime of 49.271 to finish the session third fastest. Fourth and fifth were fellow VX Racing drivers Fabrizio Giovanardi and Gavin Smith with times of 49.303 and 49.350 respectively.

Reigning champion Matt Neal was seventh quickest, behind Gordon Shedden – his teammate at Team Halfords.

Following the session, SEAT’s James Thompson said, “The car’s fantastic. It takes a bit of time to adapt to running on the Dunlop tyres, as opposed to the Yokohamas we use in the World Touring Cars. We just did a race run in that session, and I’m thoroughly pleased with the car.”

Mark Smith’s running in the In-Front Motorsport Alfa Romeo was restricted by a gearbox that was jammed in gear. The Snchro Motorsport team encountered a clutch problem which prevented them from taking to the track in the newly re-liveried Honda Civic.

The session ran without any stoppages, although there was a was a brief excursion into the gravel at Clearways for Fiona Leggate, but it was not severe enough to prevent her driving the Astra Coupe back to the pits.

The second practice session gets underway at midday.