Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship leader Sam Tordoff called qualifying a success at Brands Hatch GP, starting the first of the season’s final three races from 10th on the grid.
A tricky 30-minute session to decide the grid saw the West Surrey Racing man qualify 10th on the grid, having been as low as 21st following a downpour midway through the session.
Entering the final meeting defending an 11-point lead, Tordoff remained relaxed on his performance in qualifying, telling The Checkered Flag: “It was everything we needed to do.
“It was good, but a difficult session. The rain made it really difficult and I was struggling at the start of the session to be honest. I was just waiting it out for the track to eventually come to me.
“I’m glad we came where we came. We’ve got all of our championship rivals around us, so that’s good.
The Leeds racer said he could take comfort from the starting position of his nearest rivals, his closest competitor Gordon Shedden qualifying seventh on the grid while the reigning champion’s Honda team-mate Matt Neal starts alongside Tordoff in 11th.
“We just have to try and drive our own race and collect good points”, Tordoff added ahead of Sunday’s final three races.
“The good thing is that they’re not starting from first to fifth – they’re all around the midfield with me. Nobody’s going to take many points off me from there.”
With eight drivers still in contention for the championship and separated by 58 points with 66 left on the table, the BMW driver said that he will battle for every point in the final three rounds.
“That was step one done. We can consider that a good result, then come out fighting tomorrow”, concluded Tordoff, who would welcome sunny skies on Sunday afternoon as predicted.
“Three dry races and no hint of rain would be perfect.”
