Mat Jackson said Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo were caught out by the timing of numerous interruptions during qualifying for the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting at Brands Hatch.
The Ford Focus driver will start the opening race of the season from 14th on the grid, after a qualifying session truncated by two stoppages and separate downpours.
Jackson was best of the Shredded Wheat trio, but bemoaned the timing of red flags which left him in the dark over the car’s true pace.
“In qualifying you couldn’t get a read on how quick the cars are”, Jackson told The Checkered Flag afterwards. “At one stage we crossed the line and we were P5 – next thing we know it’s all changed.
“We made the wrong call on what time to go back out and then got caught out by the timing of the second red flag.
“Unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of it and that’s why we could only manage P14.”
Team-mates Luke Davenport and Martin Depper will line up 17th and 24th on the grid meanwhile, Davenport stating that the balance of the Focus was not comfortable during Saturday’s sessions.
On the hunt for a maiden BTCC title, Jackson added that the opening race of the day in Kent will be the most crucial for him.
“We’ll see. We’re reasonably confident and happy with the car and our race pace, but it’s going to be very close. Race one is going to be the most important now. Hopefully with a bit of luck we’ll move further up there for the second race.
“We need to focus on the championship. Picking up points in these situations is what’s important to us.”
