BTCC qualifying at Thruxton...

[AUDIDUDI@delphi.com]

NEWS FROM THE AUTO TRADER RAC 
TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 
Thruxton, 04/05/96  

CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Frank Biela and Audi enjoyed a day of 
mixed fortunes at Thruxton today (Saty) in official qualifying for 
Monday's rounds five and six of the Auto Trader RAC Touring Car 
Championship.

For although Biela recorded the fastest ever lap of the Hampshire 
circuit -- at an average speed of more than 110mph -- in the day's 
first qualifying session, he crashed out of the second session before he 
had set a meaningful time. Thus the 31-year-old German will start 
Monday's round five of the series from pole position but will be at the 
back of the grid for round six.

Biela's crash came at the ultra-fast Campbell corner on what is the 
quickest circuit on the BTCC calendar. It is believed he lost control 
of his Audi A4 on oil dropped by the car of his team-mate, John 
Bintcliffe, which had blown an engine. Biela destroyed a wall and 
badly damaged his car, but was unhurt. 'It was a big impact,' said 
Biela. 'I feel sure there was oil on the track.' The Audi team believes 
the car is repairable before Monday's twin races. Another driver in 
trouble was Nissan's Gary Ayles, who crashed heavily at the 
Thruxton chicane. He too was unhurt.

Jo Winkelhock was quickest for BMW in qualifying for round six, 
with Renault's Alain Menu second quickest in both sessions.

Official qualifying: Round 5 
1  Frank Biela (Ger), Audi A4, 1m 16.676s, 110.61mph / 
178.01kmh; 
2  Alain Menu (Switz), Renault Laguna, 1m 16.996s; 
3  Jo Winkelhock (Ger), BMW 320i, 1m 17.099s; 
4  John Bintcliffe (GB), Audi A4, 1m 17.703s; 
5  David Leslie (GB), Honda Accord, 1m 17.783s; 
6  Roberto Ravaglia (It), BMW 320i, 1m 17.921s; 
7  John Cleland (GB), Vauxhall Vectra, 1m 17.922s; 
8  Will Hoy (GB), Renault Laguna, 1m 17.947s; 
9  Rickard Rydell (Swe), Volvo 850, 1m 17.977s; 
10 Kelvin Burt (GB), Volvo 850, 1m 18.111s. 

Official qualifying: Round 6 
1  Winkelhock, 1m 16.820s, 110.40mph / 177.681kmh 
2  Menu, 1m 17.077s; 
3  Ravaglia, 1m 17.161s; 
4  Burt, 1m 17.290s; 
5  Hoy, 1m 17.342s; 
6  Rydell, 1m 17.561s; 
7  Leslie, 1m 17.617s; 
8  Cleland, 1m 17.678s; 
9  Tim Harvey (GB), Peugeot 406, 1m 17.807s; 
10 Bintcliffe, 1m 17.888s. 


-- 
Official BTCC website:
Best in British Motor Sport
http://www.demon.co.uk/racing