Monza test times - day two: 22 March.

Reigning World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx emerged on top of a typically close-fought day of action as the series moved another step closer to the resumption of hostilities on day two of the Monza pre-season test.

The Guernseyman saved his best for last, topping the day's third and final session right at the death to head a gaggle of BMWs all trying to prevent the privateer Alfa Romeos from stealing the day's honours. In the end, only Priaulx managed to move ahead, but with just a second covering the top ten, and all three main manufacturers represented it bodes well for the coming campaign.

In all, 34 drivers took part in the second day of the official test, although an off-colour Gabriele Tarquini was forced to miss a couple of the sessions and therefore lined up an unrepresentative 27th on the final timesheets. Indeed, it was an odd day for the works SEAT line-up, with privateer Tom Coronel taking his Toledo to the marque's best time and Peter Terting pushing the only Leon to feature in the top ten. Joining Tarquini down the order, Jordi Gene was eleventh, James Thompson 19th, Rickard Rydell 20th and Yvan Muller 26th.

Chasing hardest after Priaulx were the N.technology Alfa Romeos with Salvatore Tavano and Augusto Farfus whose best efforts - both in the 2min 01secs range compared to Priaulx's eventual 2min 00secs best - came in the early morning session. Gianni Morbidelli recorded the seventh best time of the day in the team's third car.

With a dry track welcoming the various teams back to Monza for day two, times were immediately under those set on Tuesday, with Priaulx ending up some eleven second better off than Farfus had managed on day one.

The two 'official' Alfas prevented BMW teams from sweeping the top of the times, despite Jorg Muller and rookie Marcel Costa claiming fourth and fifth. It was a particularly notable performance from the young Spaniard, who led the last session until the red flags came out to cover an off for the ever-exuberant Farfus. Emanuele Naspetti and Stefano d'Aste both got their 320is into the top ten overall, but Dirk Muller, title contender for the past two seasons, could only manage 13th, which pushed him behind Alex Zanardi.

The best of the Chevrolets was Nicola Larini in 17th spot, but the Italian was only just ahead of team-mates Alain Menu and Rob Huff.

The only other notable addition to the session was 26-year old Scot Ryan Sharp who, after contesting both GP2 and World Series by Renault last year, made his first appearance at the wheel of a Honda Accord, having signed a deal with JAS Motorsport to partner Pierre-Yves Corthals this season. Sharp finished as 30th fastest out of the 34 participants.

Monza test times - day two: 22 March:

1. Andy Priaulx BMW Team UK BMW 320si 2mins 00.688secs
2. Augusto Farfus N.technology Alfa Romeo 156 2mins 01.173secs
3. Salvatore Tavano N.technology Alfa Romeo 156 2mins 01.237secs
4. J?rg M?ller BMW Team Germany BMW 320si 2mins 01.247secs
5. Marcel Costa BMW Team Italy-Spain BMW 320si 2mins 01.396secs
6. Tom Coronel GR Asia SEAT Toledo 2mins 01.398secs i
7. Alessandro Balzan DB Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 2mins 01.500secs I
8. Emanuele Naspetti GDL Racing BMW 320i 2mins 01.540secs I
9. Stefano D'Aste Proteam BMW 320i 2mins 01.643secs I
10. Peter Terting SEAT Sport SEAT Leon 2mins 01.747secs

11. Jordi Gene SEAT Sport SEAT Leon 2mins 01.750secs
12. Alessandro Zanardi BMW Team Italy-Spain BMW 320si 2mins 01.812secs
13. Dirk M?ller BMW Team Germany BMW 320si 2mins 01.815secs
14. Gianni Morbidelli N.technology Alfa Romeo 156 2mins 01.827secs
15. Simone Iacone Zerocinque BMW 320i 2mins 01.951secs I
16. Adriano De Micheli DB Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 2mins 01.964secs I
17. Nicola Larini Chevrolet Chevrolet Lacetti 2mins 02.105secs
18. Alain Menu Chevrolet Chevrolet Lacetti 2mins 02.353secs
19. James Thompson SEAT Sport SEAT Leon 2mins 02.588secs
20. Rickard Rydell SEAT Sport SEAT Leon 2mins 02.647secs

21. Pierre-Yves Corthals JAS Honda Accord Euro R 2mins 02.692secs I
22. Rob Huff Chevrolet Chevrolet Lacetti 2mins 02.750secs
23. Jens Edman Peugeot Sport Denmark Peugeot 407 2mins 02.828secs I
24. Luca Rangoni Proteam BMW 320si 2mins 02.892secs I
25. Emmet O'Brien Wiechers-Sport BMW 320i 2mins 03.185secs I
26. Yvan Muller SEAT Sport SEAT Leon 2mins 03.234secs
27. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT Sport SEAT Leon 2mins 03.317secs
28. Gianni Calabrese SEAT Sport SEAT Toledo Cupra 2mins 03.329secs I
29. Riccardo Romagnoli Scuderia La Torre Alfa Romeo 156 Gta 2mins 03.368secs I
30. Ryan Sharp JAS Honda Accord Euro R 2mins 04.350secs I

31. Jir? Jan?k Ceskoslovensk? Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 Gta 2mins 04.440secs I
32. Stefano Valli Zerocinque BMW 320i 2mins 04.664secs I
33. Diego Romanini Wiechers-Sport BMW 320i 2mins 05.549secs I
34. Davide Roda SEAT Sport BMW 320i 2mins 05.697secs I