Kevin Gleason has branded his 2015 season ‘the best year of his life in racing’ after the American racer ended the inaugural TCR International Series in fifth overall.
WestCoast Racing’s Gleason once again impressed in Macau at the weekend, qualifying his Honda Civic in second behind experienced Guia racer and team-mate Rob Huff.
It further cemented the American’s credentials as a street circuit expert, after he had earlier taken victory on the streets of Singapore.
“I was really happy with how qualifying went and it was great to be on the front row on my first ever outing in Macau,” said Gleason. “The track is more difficult than I could have ever anticipated and it has been a real learning process. I progressed in every session, which is pretty satisfying.”
Race one saw Gleason finish seventh, having lost out at the start of a frenetic race. He held on to finish in seventh, which is where he started for race two after a change of the rules for the weekend in Macau.
Unfortunately for Gleason, he got caught up in a first corner pile-up in race two, which had been initiated when Jordi Gené made contact with team-mate Huff.
Despite his second race retirement, Gleason finished the year just 17 points behind team-mate and experienced touring car racer Gianni Morbidelli.
“The Macau Grand Prix weekend, like the entire 2015 season, has been very up and down, with very high highs and very low lows,” summarised Gleason. “Unfortunately, my début in Macau ended on a low and it’s hugely disappointing.
“I started the weekend so strongly and I was the quickest of those who have never raced here before, as well as all of the experienced drivers, except Rob. I’m so proud of that and it’s unfortunate that the season had to end with a seventh and a DNF.
“Overall, this has been the best year of my life in racing, because I’ve achieved more than I ever have in the past and I think I’ve really moved on as a racing driver.”