METCALFE ON POLE FOR HOME EVENT AT THRUXTON

Jeremy Metcalfe scorched to his second career Avon Tyres British GT Championship pole position at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire this afternoon, Saturday, 28th June, during qualifying for the ninth round of the 2008 season.

The 20-year-old CR Scuderia driver needed just one flying lap during the 15 minute session to post an outstanding time of 1m 16.697 seconds (110.58mph) in his Ferrari 430 GT3 car.

Such was Jeremy's dominance, he only completed a total of four laps and ended the session half a second clear of his closest rival. Furthermore, he was the only driver in his group to break the 110mph average lap speed barrier.

Having already set the pole position time during the first half of the session, red flags were shown with approximately seven minutes remaining to clear the stranded Ferrari of Peter Bamford at the entrance to Allard.

While his rivals attempted to get on terms with Jeremy's pace following the re-start, none could get near and the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) Rising Star opted to conserve his tyres for today's race by remaining in the pits.

Speaking after round nine qualifying, Jeremy said: "I'm obviously delighted to be on pole again, especially at my home track - it's a great feeling.

"The track is very abrasive so we took it easy for the first couple of laps, I then did my flying lap and it was good enough for pole position. I could have gone quicker but we didn't need to so I came back into the pits to save the tyres."

The first one-hour race of the weekend, round nine, will take place at 17.00 today, Saturday, 28th June. Round 10 will follow at 13.45 tomorrow, Sunday, 29th June.