Gordon Shedden says that longer runs in qualifying may help against traffic problems in the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting of the season at Brands Hatch.
The reigning champion finished fifth and 12th in the two 40-minute practice sessions, taking place at the shorter 1.21-mile Indy layout of the Kent circuit.
Shedden said he remains unsure as to how Halfords Yuasa Racing will attack qualifying in terms of tyre strategy but, with 32 cars vying for pole position, he hopes to see drivers on slower laps respect blue flags during the 30-minute qualifying session.
“Everyone’s in the same boat, we’ve just got to make the best of it,” Shedden told The Checkered Flag after practice.
“Everyone needs to come back and actually clear off the racing line to let you past. That’s not really doing a great deal [to help].
“It’s just your luck, isn’t it? You just have to be out there at the right time and make the best of it when you get a clear lap, but it’s not going to be ideal for anybody. It’ll work for somebody!”
The pecking order remains up in the air after practice, Saturday’s qualifying session and the season-opening race on Sunday being the only times that all cars compete on zero success ballast.
“We’re just trying to find what we need, the track is changing quite a bit but we’re there or thereabouts I would think.”
