Formula Palmer Audi championship leader Tristan Vautier set the pace in the opening free practice session at Snetterton today (Friday).

The Frenchman set a time of 1:07.012s, which Richard Plant fell short of matching by just 0.001s. "It was a good session, but it looks like it is going to be really close," said Vautier. "There is still a long way to go, but I am happy with my start to the weekend."

Adam Foster was a clear third, but the Englishman is keen to start converting impressive performances into race victories. "It went pretty well," said Foster. "My tyres were the old tyres from Silverstone and mine were quite worn, so the time was quite pleasing. I am in the mix, but I really need to start scoring wins."

Paul Rees in fourth headed four drivers split by less than a tenth of a second - Silverstone race winner Jose Alonso was fifth, ahead of Giuseppe Cipriani and Emma Kimilainen respectively.

Kenny Andrews was eighth and Julien Gerbi was ninth, ahead of F2 racer Kazim Vasiliauskas - the Lithuanian is racing at a circuit he knows for the first time this season, having driven here previously in Formula Two testing.

The top 16 drivers were separated by a little over a second in what proved to be an extremely close 20-minute practice session, in keeping with the FPA season so far. Heavy rain hit the track immediately after the session and with dark clouds continuing to loom over the Norfolk circuit, it is not yet clear what conditions the drivers will face in the second Free Practice session later today. 

Click here for the event timetable.

The British F3 and GT Championships supported by Formula Palmer Audi at Snetterton on 4/5 July costs £20 for adults on raceday, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000.