Quotes from the final qualifying session of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
Bobby Thompson: “I’m very happy although a part of me wants more, maybe I’m greedy but really happy I could give the team three solid top 10 results today. It proves that the car does have pace whether you are in a newer build or an older build which is good to put that to bed.
“I think there is some more on the table from me, but I left it too late, and the track was more like a rallycross track at the end there with too much dust and dirt being on the circuit to really push at the end. Qualifying was the first time I’ve been on new softs, so it was a bit of an eye-opener to me.
“I’m fired up for tomorrow’s three races, we have lots of partners and fans in attendance and we will be giving it everything!”
James Gornall: “Firstly, it’s great to be back in the BTCC after a few years away. Today was really just about getting dialed in with the car and getting comfortable. We had limited running in FP1 which was not ideal due to an issue, but the team did well to sort it.
“Going into qualifying we only had five flying laps in practice, so I knew it was going to be a bit of an unknown. I didn’t maximise the soft tyre on my best run which was frustrating but overall, I’m happy to be around my team-mates for the opening race tomorrow. I reckon it will be a good day for the team.”
Bobby was disappointed with 5th but is excited for tomorrow. Photograph: Tim Glover
Dan Lloyd: “Disappointing end to what was looking like a really good day. It was a messy qualifying session and, on the lap I put it all together we got traffic at the end of the lap when I was on for a time that would have been good enough for the top 10 so yeah, just another day with bad luck thrown at us.
“We improved the car; it was good and we could have gone another step again but if you get blocked on your best lap it’s tough. We actually did our best lap on used tyres which just shows how much that hurt. We go again tomorrow.”
Michael Crees: “I really struggled today unfortunately; it just wasn’t my day. We had an issue in FP1 and I lost a bit of time but overall I just couldn’t get dialed in.
“The race pace in this car though is always really strong so I know tomorrow is going to be a much better day for me and the team.
“I’m racing in front of my home crowd so I’ll be trying to put on a show for everyone!”
Micheal is focusing on tomorrow’s race day. Photograph: Steve Akehurst
Daryl DeLeon: “It was my first time going around the Brands Hatch GP circuit in a touring car and it’s been a bit of a difficult one. We had some issues in both sessions and ended up in 23rd in qualifying. I’m really happy with that because I think I maximized what I could.
“We need to see what we can do tomorrow; anything can happen and I will be ready to capitalize.”
Dexter Patterson: “On the old tyre run the car felt good but we just struggled to get a big jump with the new tyres. We only went one-tenth quicker on the new rubber which shouldn’t happen. We struggled to get anything out of that new tyre, but we are still in the ballpark to fight tomorrow so let’s do it.”
Daryl pushed hard during today’s qualifying session. Photograph: Tim Glover