Aron Smith continued his strong form toward the close of his maiden season in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) taking seventh fastest time from the penultimate qualifying session of the year.
The half hour qualifying session ended the Saturday running at Silverstone that began with two free practice sessions which Smith finished fourth and third respectively, setting best time of 59.323 in the second session
Taking another tenth of a second off his best time in qualifying the Irishman lapped the National Circuit of the Northamptonshire track in 59.225, a half second slower than polesitter Jason Plato, to take his place on fourth row of the grid in the Redstone Racing Ford Focus.
“I was hoping to be a bit further up the grid but time wise it is the quickest that we have gone,” said Smith, “literally every qualifying lap was within a thousandth of a second, so it reads well for the car over a race distance if we are able to match our qualifying pace.”
“I’m happy though, seventh is still a great result for me and I can do a lot from there in the race. It’s all to play for tomorrow and I’ll drive my socks off!”
The penultimate race day of the 2012 season begins at 11:45 with the first of the day’s three races.
