Emma Kimilainen tops free practice one

Finnish female racer sets the pace at Snetterton

Emma Kimilainen topped the opening free practice session at Snetterton today (Friday) after setting the fastest lap in the final minute.

The Finnish driver was a front-runner throughout the 30-minute session, but was unable to complete a clear lap without traffic until her last flying lap. Emma's impressive performance relegated Paul Rees down to second and F2 driver Jolyon Palmer down to third. Rees was on one last quick lap himself until he locked up at Coram and ran across the grass, which prevented him from attacking Kimilainen's benchmark time. Once again Kimilainen and Rees have proved inseparable on the track as the pair will conclude their season long battle in the standings this weekend.

"The session was good," said Kimilainen. "The wind was pretty crazy and you really had to focus, particularly down the back straight. I am not thinking about my battle with Rees for fifth in the championship, I am focussed on trying to get a win here this weekend."

Current standings leader Richard Plant and Adam Foster were the best placed of the championship contenders as the two Englishman incredibly set exactly the same lap time to take fourth and fifth at the finish. "The car seems to be set-up perfectly," said Plant. "I had a few problems at the last round at Silverstone but the car feels great here - so far, so good."

Maxime Jousse pipped Kazim Vasiliauskas to sixth while Swedish debutant Felix Rosenqvist impressed by setting the eighth fastest time. Slovenian David Rotar was ninth and FPA returnee Max Snegirev rounded out the top ten. The Russian was actually on quicker laps towards the end of the session but he twice had two wheels on the grass as he approached Russell Bend and lost time through the final corner.

The most notable absentee from the front-running pack was Frenchman Tristan Vautier who had to settle for 11th. Ash Davies had time to recover from a moment early in the session to take 12th as he continues to make progress during his maiden FPA campaign.

Bastian Graber and Howard Fuller both recovered from minor off-track moments, while Dimitris Papanastasiou went off at Sear Corner, which led to the session being stopped for a short period.

The 22-car field will be back on track for the final free practice session later this afternoon.

Formula Palmer Audi - Snetterton - free practice one results:

1. Emma Kimilainen, 1:05.480s
2. Paul Rees, +0.210s
3. Jolyon Palmer, +0.300s
4. Richard Plant, +0.330s
5. Adam Foster, +0.330s
6. Maxime Jousse, +0.430s
7. Kazim Vasiliauskas, +0.510s
8. Felix Rosenqvist, +0.510s
9. David Rotar, +0.600s
10. Maxim Snegirev, +0.680s

The 2009 Formula Palmer Audi title showdown will take place at Snetterton this weekend (17/18 October). Tickets cost from £12 on the gate for adults. Entry is free for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or click the link below.