Redstone Racing head into round 19 of the 2012 British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill, Scotland with Aron Smith and Mat Jackson qualifying inside the top 10.
Irishman Smith secured his and the teams’ best qualifying result of the season as he took the #5 S2000 Ford Focus to third overall, having narrowly missed out on a front row start and being the top S2000 runner.
“As soon as we went out in the session the car just felt so good with the work that the team had done and felt like it was on rails – so I knew it was going to be quick once I made the most out of the lap,” explains Smith, who made his BTCC debut at Knockhill last year.
“Up until about halfway we were sixth which would still have been my best one of the year so I would have been happy with that. We made one final change and that just gave me the edge to get those couple more tenths to get me to third on the grid – it’s a dream come true.”
Jackson secured ninth overall in the NGTC Ford Focus ST, having completed the cars first wet running during the session.
“It’s a good start,” added the Henley-in-Arden based driver. “Obviously we were heading into the unknown for us; not knowing how the car was going to perform in the rain. We made some changes after this morning’s session, got some great data from the car and we’re making improvements to the car all the time. Overall we’ve very pleased with P9 for the first wet run, we’re still learning each time this car turns a wheel.”
Team Manager Oly Collins is pleased with how qualifying went for the team.
“An awesome result for the whole team with an outstanding drive by Aron when it mattered to get P3 – the best qualifying result for the team this year,” said Collins. “Also an outstanding result for the new car as it was its maiden run in the wet. Now we’re looking forward to tomorrow, a massive well done to the whole team.”
Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the 2012 British Touring Car Championship will be live on ITV4, ITV4 HD and itv.com from 11am Sunday, 26 August.