Quotes from the sixth qualifying session of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
Dan Lloyd: “So overall, really positive day. We made some really good progress at the tyre test at Donington. How the car left Donington, is how we run it today, which is really positive. Qualifying I would have liked to of had a little bit more, I think we definitely had the chance to be top 8. But, we just didn’t quite have the front end grip that I had in FP2 and I’m pretty sure we know why.
“So overall really positive, we can definitely race from there with the mixture of different tyres tomorrow. I think it could be an exciting day. I would’ve liked to have been a little bit higher but looking at the bigger picture I think it’s a really good start to the second half of the season.”
Michael Crees: “Today got off to a solid start. FP1 I was right on the money and thought it was going to be a proper good day, but we didn’t really find the time in FP2. In qualifying I had a little spin and ruined a set of tyres, so I was on the back foot and ended up P20.
“But I am absolutely over the moon about being back and thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s nice to be back at Team HARD.”
Today was Cress’s first day back with the team since 2019.
Dexter Patterson: “Practice wasn’t too bad. It’s quite a tricky circuit to get used to quickly. But we struggled to get a lap in qualifying due to the yellow flags and the red which held us up. We have a lot to work on and we’ll go from there.”
Daryl DeLeon: My BTCC debut, first day today. It was a good day, well, sort of. We had some issues in FP1 which meant we couldn’t get out on track but we managed to fix those issues for FP2 and got some good running in before qualifying.
“Qualifying was going well and I think I was pushing too much. I saw on the dash I was six tenths up and I wanted to push even more, but unfortunately I pushed too hard and lost control of the car and ended up in the barrier causing a red flag. However, I will learn from it and come back stronger!”
This weekend DeLeon is making his BTCC debut at just 17 years old.
Jack Butel: “Today has been a good day. We had a bit of trouble with set up but I think we’ll iron it out for the race.
“It’s really nice to be back, it’s nice and sunny. Hopefully it stays like this tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a good race, as it always is here, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Butel qualified P23 and looks to make his way up the grid in tomorrows race.