Quotes from the second qualifying session of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils
Bobby Thompson: “We made some massive changes coming into this weekend so we were really excited to see how we would get on. We felt like Donington was a damage limitation weekend and we came away with some decent points meaning we have a really good baseline for this weekend.
The weather steadily got worse throughout the day, but the car has been able to compete whatever the weather which is really positive to take for the rest of the season.
We’ve had a great Saturday, in the top six in every session with room for improvement from both myself and the car, so really happy for myself and the team and to prove that the Cupra Leon can compete with the front of the pack.
“Let’s go get it tomorrow!”
Dan Lloyd: “Really pleased with the result at the end of the day. We had a really rough FP2 with a bit of a mistake, so we went into qualifying a little bit blind. Despite that, we got into Q2 for the first time which was great. When we got into the session we were on the back foot as we used all of our new tyres playing catch up in Q1, but I’m still really happy to be in 9th and with Bobby in 6th. It’s just in general a great result for the team and a big improvement which is positive for the rest of the season.
So, really happy and a good effort from the team to recover from a messy day, so really happy with that.”
Bobby and Dan both appeared in the top 10 shootout for the first time this season. Photograph: Mike Hills
Go Fix with Autoaid Breakdown
Nic Hamilton: “Bit of a nightmare of a day if I’m honest which started in FP1. We had issues in that session and again in FP2 which really put us on the back foot. The car was also late going out in qualifying due to another issue, and as a result, it’s not been an easy progressive day where we have been able to continually improve the car and move it forward.
“After FP2 I wasn’t really happy with how the car was behaving, but it wasn’t too bad. I was just looking for some more pace out of it and we made changes going into the qualifying session. There were improvements in some areas but also weaknesses in others after the changes, but I had a spin at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend and I’m not sure if I went in a bit too deep but I hit a puddle, aquaplaned and spun. I would have rejoined and carried on with qualifying and knocked on the door of the top 20, but unfortunately, Adam (Morgan) did the same thing, spun and my car was used as a tyre barrier. There were about five cars that did the same thing during the session, so it wasn’t all me, but I always blame myself and I shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Tomorrow is a new day so let’s see how tomorrow goes.”
Jack Butel: “The day started well in FP1, the car felt good and I was confident out of the blocks which is really important for me. FP2 was tricky as we went the wrong way with the setup. We went soft when the car needed to be stiffened up. We did that through the session but it wasn’t enough.
“We looked at some of the other boys’ data and setup sheets, we took the gamble to make big changes and they paid off. I’ve got my best qualifying session in the BTCC with 13th and I’ve over the moon. We were pipped in the last few seconds after sitting in 11th, but we’ve got an interesting day in store tomorrow and I’m excited!”
Jack finished a career high 13th. Photograph: Mike Hills
Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD.
Dexter Patterson “Today wasn’t too bad, we got a dry session in this morning which was good and will prove important tomorrow as it looks to be dry. Free practice two was okay, but there was more in the tank and I feel we really unlocked that in qualifying. We seemed a lot closer.
“We were looking really good for a top 10 finish in Q1 and a place in the shootout, but I ran wide in the last sector on our best lap. I’m disappointed not to have made it into the shootout, but overall, I have to be happy. We’re in the mix and with a great chance of points tomorrow.”
Jade Edwards: “The main takeaway from today is that we have made great progress from the opening round at Donington Park. We’ve had a full day of running with no issues which has allowed me to get more dialed in with the car and progress session on session.
“To finish the day in 19th was a good achievement with some big names behind, and around us which is positive. Of course, we want to be further up the grid, but given our circumstances, I have to be happy. The team did a great job, I’m getting more and more comfortable with the car and I’m in a good position to score some points tomorrow if things go our way.”
Dexter gave it everything in qualifying and ended up 15th. Photograph: Steve Akehurst