No easy ride for GR Motorsport.

The 2001 British Touring Car Championship arrive at Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire, for rounds five & six of the new look BTCC.

Oulton Park which has been described as the mini Nurburgring by several drivers over the years, is very hard on brakes, with its very tight first corner that over the years has been the scene of many racing incidents at the start. Qualifying is vital as over taking can be difficult.

Qualifying started at 1.45pm (yesterday), in warm over cast weather conditions, following the morning free practice all GR Motorsport drivers were looking to greatly improve on lap times. In the free practice drivers have 45mins, qualifying is only for the duration of 30mins. Not forgetting that within the 30mins drivers will do a routine pit stop for new tyres, some drivers may pit more than once, depending upon their qualifying strategy.

Qualifying was no plain sailing as the tension mounted right at the end of the 30mins session. For GR Motorsport "Young Guns" - Mat and Gareth, grid positions are vital, especially here. It was Richard Meins to return to the pits first, having completed an out lap, then an in lap, to change front tyres. Within several laps Mat and Gareth started to climb the positions table, Mats Engineer Chris was pushing Mat to get into the 1.33 seconds a lap before he brought him in for his planned routine pit stop. With 18mins to go, Mat achieved the 1.33. He came in from P4, opting not to have new rubber on the front, the team rotated all four tyres, front to back and back to front.

Seconds later Team Mate Gareth, entered the pit lane from P5, as the team completed the routine stop. Gareth exited the pit lane to rejoin the circuit, Mat unfortunately started to slide down the qualifying order. With 7 mins to go, Mat pitted for new tyres on the front, as he exited the end of the pit lane. It was here when the action started, now with 3 mins remaining the session was red flagged as a result of the Honda Accord of Dave Allan with problems at the bottom of Cascades.

With all 19 Cars now re-grouping at the pit lane exit, Mat Jackson. Situated at the front, was ideally placed with a clear circuit enabling him to improve on his lap times in the final stages. With a clear circuit ahead Mat soon broke away in the final stages, unfortunately, Mat was unable to regain his P4.

GR Motorsport Drivers will be starting as follows:-

Gareth Howell: 5th
Mat Jackson: 7th
Richard Meins: 10th
Rick Kraemer: 13th