Jason Plato claimed pole position after being fastest in a sodden British Touring Car Championship qualifying session at Knockhill.
Veteran tames the rain at soaking qualifying session at Knockhill
Jason Plato claimed pole position after being fastest in a sodden British Touring Car Championship qualifying session at Knockhill.
The veteran will start from first slot on the grid for the third time this season after a best lap of 57.128 seconds at the rain-lashed Fife circuit.
And he was further boosted as his Honda colleagues and title rivals, Matt Neal and home favourite Gordon Shedden, could only qualify in eighth and sixth respectively.
Robert Collard's eBay Motors BMW joined Plato on the front row, with Dubliner Aron Smith a career-best third for Redstone Racing.
Plato told btcc.net: "I had a bit more in reserve if required but the main thing is I'm starting from the front tomorrow and the two Hondas have a lot to do.
"But we're looking good in all conditions - I was very happy with the car in the dry in the earlier practice sessions so I'm feeling good about tomorrow."
Collard added: "I gave it everything. Pole would have been very nice but I'm satisfied to be starting on the front row, which is important here as it's a tough circuit to overtake on."
Plato goes into the opening race just 10 points off the pace set by Neal and two behind Shedden, with 20 on offer for the race win.
Tom Onslow-Cole and Frank Wrathell were fourth and fifth respectively ahead of Shedden, with the returning Paul O'Neill seventh and Neal followed home by Mat Jackson and Dave Newsham.
