Photo by: Pat Cranham
Knockhill, 3rd September Triple Eight Race Engineering with Collins Contractors two turbo Vauxhall’s will start from 12th and from 15th on the grid for tomorrows 19th round of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill, Near Dunfermline, Fife.
James Nash, currently 5th in the title race had a frustrating day after the front of his car had to be rebuilt after an off track excursion in morning practice. With his front of his car rebuilt just in time for qualifying, 3 red flag interruptions in the session did little to help Nash redial his car to the track.
BTCC debutant Aron Smith had a smile on his face after qualifying though expressed slight disappointment that his time was only good enough for the ninth row of tomorrows starting grid. The Dublin-based 21 year-old had steadily improved his times all day and did a solid job in tricky conditions on a notoriously difficult circuit.
James Nash #14: “We went into a difficult qualifying session after we’d had a bit of an incident in free practice2. It left us with a few different issues with the car. It wasn’t perfect and we tried to work our way around things. Unfortunately the red flags messed up our tyre runs so really it was a case of doing the best we could.”
“For sure tomorrow we can get into the points. I’d like to get into the top six. It’s possible. Anything can happen, but to do that you’ve got to keep yourself clean and steer clear of trouble.”
Aron Smith #88 “ I absolutely loved driving the car today. The BTCC cars are so much more of a challenge to what I’m used to – you really have to hang on in some places around here. It’s fantastic too to be just a tenth away from my team-mate. That’s good though to be honest, position-wise (17th) it’s a little disappointing.”
"My aim tomorrow will be to learn as much as I can. A top 10 has got to be the ambition for race 1. Clearly from where I am on the grid I’m not going to set the world alight, but if l can get into the top 10, for race 2 you never know…”
Ian Harrison. Chairman Triple Eight “ It’s been a character building day. Both drivers have done a good job. The car’s not the problem – we’re just not fast enough!”
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