Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship leader Colin Turkington admitted that he was happy to have qualified on the second row of the grid for the final round of the 2014 season, following a lottery of a qualifying session at Brands Hatch.
The Northern Irishman came out of the 30-minute session three places worse off than his main championship rival, Jason Plato, the MG driver securing pole position to trim Turkington’s points lead to 49 points.
A drying track made the session highly unpredictable, Turkington steadily improving as many did during the second half of proceedings as drivers put slick tyres onto their cars with significant improvements.
Turkington admitted that fourth was a good result in the circumstances, saying that the West Surrey Racing BMW 125i has shown strong pace in both wet and dry conditions.
“Those sessions, you’ve just got to be on the track at the right time really to get a good result”, Turkington told The Checkered Flag afterwards.
“I’m pleased, obviously we have had a quick car all day. It’s always nice to be on pole, but in the end the second row is certainly ideal.”
With Turkington needing just 18 points from the 66 available on Sunday to claim the championship, he still remained cautious of the situation, adding that the weather concerns will not be an issue.
He added: “As I keep saying, you can’t just cruise around. I’m coming to race tomorrow though, and I think that we will be strong.”
“We’ve been fastest in both the wet and the dry today, the car felt pretty good in the dry.
“No matter what it is then at least we are in the best shape for it tomorrow.”
On the championship situation, Turkington concluded: “I’m not really thinking about it a lot if I’m being honest, but of course, it keeps popping into your mind now and again.”
