Round 9 – Silverstone: Race Day

Quotes from the Ninth race day of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season at Silverstone

 

Dan Lloyd: “A really good day overall. Yesterday was tough, but we made some big changes to the car and the first race was amazing as we went from the pitlane to the 7^th.

We started race 2 in 10^th and did a great job collectively to make changes to the car, which saw us as one of the fastest cars on track during the race. I managed to get to 6^th before being knocked off and ultimately finishing in 9^th but importantly in the reverse grid draw.

Starting 4^th for the final race I was excited but we were struggling with some engine issues which we haven’t had all year. We have been on the same engine since round 1 and it’s starting to make some funny noises and lacking ultimate performance which made us a bit of a sitting duck.

Overall, really happy with the weekend, we had some great coverage and it was nice to spend the weekend fighting in and amongst the top 10.

 

Michael Crees: “Mega day, it wasn’t the ending to the weekend we wanted but it was great to pull up to pole position for the first time and just see the sheer amount of people on the grid around me. When the crowds dispersed it was a surreal feeling, I’ll tell you that!

After a poor Saturday, I couldn’t ask for much more after coming away with two 12^th places and my first pole in the reverse grid. I can’t wait for Brands Hatch.

Bobby Thompson: “We started the day out of position after qualifying, we knew we had the pace for somewhere around 8^th to 11^th but didn’t quite get it together. In race 1 we made the right choice with the tyres and the setup was very good which got us up to 4^th for most of the race which was really exciting. We ended up in 5^th which was a great result for me to give to the team which has worked so hard over the past three weeks.

“Race 2 was going really well and we were able to hold position until being taken out. The resulting door and window damage from the scuffle meant I had to retire which adds to the bad luck we’ve had this year.

“Race 3 didn’t go our way, we didn’t have the pace that we had earlier in the day but we know why and at Brands Hatch next time out I think we will be really strong.”

Jack Butel: “A really difficult day for me and my team. Unfortunately, we were plagued by annoying little issues with the car that really hampered our chances of making any progress throughout race day.

“I had some good battles out on track which is always fun but I was hoping for more from this weekend as I love Silverstone. Onto the next one.”

Daryl De Leon: “We made the right tyre choice for race 1 by going on the scrubbed wets as the drizzle started to come down whilst we were on the grid. The pace was good, we were running as high as 8^th during the opening stages of the race but as the race wore on the slick tyres became the preferred tyre. This meant that I slipped behind those running the dry’s and dropped to 14^th but I’m still really happy as it’s my first points of the season and in the BTCC.

“In race 2 we had a bit of an issue with power which I think was a cracked intake boost pipe which really hindered us, we had to box in the end and finished at the back.

“In the final race of the day, I had a really start and was running well before the safety car. Sadly, I suffered a similar issue to race 2 but less severe which ended any chances of more points.

“Overall, happy with the weekend, I’ve taken another step in the right direction and I’m looking forward to the final round at Brands Hatch.”

Dexter Patterson: “Very unlucky today. We started on the back foot from qualifying but the race pace was good, it’s just a shame we caught up in other people’s incidents.

“I’m looking forward to Brands Hatch, I had a really strong qualifying there last year and I think the Cupra Leon will be a strong package on the GP loop.”