Andrew Jordan said that Saturday’s qualifying session was the best he’d ever felt behind the wheel of the West Surrey Racing BMW 125i after clinching a front row spot for the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Oulton Park.
Currently 12th in the Drivers’ Championship, Jordan took WSR’s best qualifying result of season by finishing within just 0.126s of pole-sitter Matt Neal, joining the Honda driver on the front row for race one in Cheshire.
At a technical circuit that traditionally suits rear-wheel drive cars over a race distance, Jordan said that he enters Sunday’s latest three races feeling more comfortable behind the wheel of the BMW than he has all season.
“That’s the best I’ve driven the car all year. I really felt on top of the car”, said Jordan afterwards. “I could grab the car by the scruff of the neck.
“Obviously you always want pole, especially when you get that close but I’m happy. The car was handling nicely. The team have done a good job as its been on the pace all day really. It was one of those nice sessions were it all clicked – no traffic so it all just clicked nicely.
“It’s nice to finally know I’m on the pace and be right up there. It’s alright having glimpses but this is my best qualifying since Thruxton 2014.
“The whole RWD thing is different. I’ve done nine years of FWD so to now feel like I’m now wearing the car rather than being a bit behind the car is nice. It’s definitely the best I’ve felt with the car. My feedback has been the best it’s been just because you start wearing the car.”
While pole-sitter Neal told TCF that he expects Jordan to grab the lead at the start of the opening race, the latter himself expects a lengthy battle with his Honda rival that WSR have the pace to come out on top in.
“It obviously depends on what people are doing on the soft tyre and stuff. I think we’ve got the pace to win”, added Jordan. “Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I’m happy with the job I’ve done today. I feel like we’ve made a real step forward.
“We’ve got the pace to win. If we get a bit of luck, we’ll be right up at the sharp end all day tomorrow.”
Photo: BTCC Media
