NEWS FROM THE AUTO TRADER RAC TOURING CAR 
CHAMPIONSHIP 
Brands Hatch, 15/4/96 
 
VOLVO drivers Rickard Rydell and Kelvin Burt topped the 
timesheets at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Monday) in initial testing 
for this weekend's double rounds of the Auto Trader RAC Touring 
Car Championship. Swede Rydell lopped more than three-tenths of a 
second from his own qualifying record for the 1.2-mile Kent track, 
hotly pursued by Burt and Renault drivers Alain Menu and Will Hoy.

In an incident-packed official test day, several drivers suffered 
mishaps, notably BMW's Roberto Ravaglia, the Italian severely 
damaging his car in a crash at Paddock Hill Bend. Rydell was also in 
trouble: immediately after posting the quickest time of the day he was 
in collision with the Toyota of privateer Lee Brookes, both cars 
sustaining light damage.

Audi's John Bintcliffe was another to spin into the barriers -- albeit 
lightly -- as did the Nissans of Gary Ayles and Owen McAuley. 
Championship leader Frank Biela was absent from the test, the Audi 
team leader undergoing surgery in his native Germany for a minor 
back complaint. He will be in action for final testing on Friday. 
 
Rounds three and four of the 1996 Auto Trader RAC Touring Car 
Championship are at Brands Hatch on Sunday (Apr 21). 
 
TOP TESTING TIMES 
1  Rickard Rydell (Swe), Volvo 850, 45.557s, 95.11mph/153.06kmh; 
2  Kelvin Burt (GB), Volvo 850, 45.699s; 
3  Alain Menu (Switz), Renault Laguna, 45.714s; 
4  Will Hoy (GB), Renault Laguna, 45.844s; 
5  Paul Radisich (NZ), Ford Mondeo, 45.921s; 
6  Jo Winkelhock (Ger), BMW 320i, 45.937s; 
7  James Thompson (GB), Vauxhall Vectra, 46.041s; 
8  John Bintcliffe (GB), Audi A4, 46.045s; 
9  John Cleland (GB), Vauxhall Vectra, 46.046s; 
10 James Kaye (GB), Honda Accord, 46.144s;
11 David Leslie (GB), Honda Accord, 46.210s;
12 Tim Harvey (GB), Peugeot 406, 46.349s. 
 

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