Quotes from the second qualifying session of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season
Chris Smiley: “It was a very positive day. We’ve been progressing again all day to bring the gap down to the cars in front. We’ve already gone through the data, and we know there are things we can do to bring it down further as well which is positive.
“We aren’t on front running pace at the moment, but I think to be in the top 10 pace we are very close, if we find three-tenths of a second we will be there so with that I’m really happy.
Obviously, we’d like to be a bit further up but that’s not going to happen overnight, and I think we are where we expected to be at this stage of the season. If we can make these changes tonight, I’m confident it will put us in a good position tomorrow.”
Chris will line up in 16th for the opening race of the day. Photograph: JEP
Scott Sumpton: “It was really good today but wow it was hot in the car! We struggled a bit in the practice sessions to find the setup but also in myself, I still had loads of time and confidence to find. When it mattered though in qualifying I put it together a bit better and I was happy with my lap time. The track is so short here and the lap times are so close that even being able to find three-tenths would have moved me up 3/4 positions, but like I say, that’s the nature of this track.
“I’m really looking forward to going racing today and I’ll be giving it the full send to try and score my first points of the season!”
Scott will line-up 18th after putting in a strong final lap in qualifying. Photograph: JEP
Ben Taylor (Team Principle): “Ultimately, if the drivers are happy, then so am I. Having spoken to both Chris and Scott, I feel the team is in a good place at the moment in terms of our development and understanding of the championship and the Cupra Leon.
“We are making steps forward with every session and I’m confident we will be able to do that again tomorrow and have a strong trio of races.”