NEWS FROM THE AUTO TRADER RAC  
TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP   
Final Official Testing: Silverstone, 17/5/96   
 
THE BMWs of Jo Winkelhock and Roberto Ravaglia topped the 
timesheets this afternoon (Fri) at Silverstone in final official testing 
for Sunday's rounds seven and eight of the Auto Trader RAC Touring 
Car Championship.

1993 Champion Winkelhock -- winner last time out, at Thruxton -- 
lapped the new Silverstone International circuit in 1m 24.495s, 
eclipsing by half a second the testing mark set by Volvo's Rickard 
Rydell a fortnight ago. Ravaglia was second quickest today, four-
tenths of a second slower than his German team leader, with Will 
Hoy third fastest for Renault and top Brit.

Championship leader Frank Biela was in trouble, managing only six 
laps in his Audi A4 after electrical problems. Biela wound up only 
11th fastest, some way slower than his British team-mate John 
Bintcliffe.

Hoy's Renault team-mate Alain Menu also hit trouble, blowing his 
Laguna's engine this morning and spinning into a gravel trap at 
Becketts Corner late in the afternoon session. Reigning Champion 
John Cleland was another spinner -- neither men's cars were 
damaged in the separate incidents.

Official qualifying takes place tomorrow (Saty) at the Northants 
track, with a record crowd expected for Sunday's twin races.

OFFICIAL BTCC TESTING TIMES  
Silverstone, 17/5/96 
1  Jo Winkelhock (Ger), BMW 320i, 1m 24.495s, 94.37mph; 
2  Roberto Ravaglia (It), BMW 320i, 1:24.845; 
3  Will Hoy (GB), Renault Laguna, 1:25.036; 
4  Rickard Rydell (Swe), Volvo 850, 1:25.152; 
5  Paul Radisich (NZ), Ford Mondeo, 1:25.185; 
6  Alain Menu (Switz), Renault Laguna, 1:25.244; 
7  John Bintcliffe (GB), Audi A4, 1:25.373; 
8  Kelvin Burt (GB), Volvo 850, 1:25.424; 
9  John Cleland (GB), Vauxhall Vectra, 1:25.507; 
10 David Leslie (GB), Honda Accord, 1:25.519; 
11 Frank Biela (Ger), Audi A4, 1:25.521; 
12 Richard Kaye (GB), Vauxhall Cavalier, 1:25.533, etc. 
-- 
Official BTCC website:
Best in British Motor Sport
http://www.demon.co.uk/racing