Team BMW’s Ricky Collard says he is ‘over the moon’ at an unexpected front row start for race one of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.
Collard, who continues to step in for his injured father Rob this weekend, missed out on pole by just 0.018s to Sam Tordoff.
He told TouringCars.Net he was delighted with the result, but was surprised his lap was good enough for second position.
“I’m over the moon – I really did not expect it,” said Collard. “We’ve just chipped away and it’s quite funny – I even said to the guys on the radio – ‘Guys! I’m driving like an idiot!’
“And then they were like ‘you’re P2!’ and I was like ‘Oh!’ So again maybe it goes back to experience, the things that I think don’t work, kind of do work.
“And if I take stuff from the DTM, the GT3 and trying to put them into a touring car I’m just finding they’re not working. And same with F3. I’m starting like a blank canvas.
“It’s really cool as a junior to be learning here with BMW and West Surrey Racing. They’ve given me a fantastic opportunity to learn a new car and a new concept of racing.”
Collard admits there are still areas to work on, but with limited seat time and three wet races at Knockhill he feels he is learning every time he gets in the BMW 125i M Sport.
“I had some big moments out there – some big slides – and I was thinking there’s no way this is going to be fast and then you look down at your delta and it is,” he said.
“I’ve got to adapt and learn all the time with the different driving styles but obviously it’s slowly getting there.
“Every time I get in the car it’s something new – you know I even keep forgetting to turn the lights off which is a pain!
“I think as a rookie it’s really difficult. We’ve done our homework after each session at every track I’ve gone to and I’ve just gone faster and faster and faster and qualifying has always been my best results.
“I’ve always gone forward in the races as well, so if we can go forward from P2 I’ll be over the moon! But I just want to try and get a good solid points haul, because that’s what I’m here to do – get good solid points for Team BMW and for West Surrey in the teams and manufacturers. So if I can score good points that’d be ace.”
Despite being surprised that his lap secured him a front row start, Collard felt he could have grabbed pole if he had a cleaner flyer.
“I even said to the guys this is not a good lap! Surely I’ve made a mistake or I’ve gone wide, and they said no you’re p2!
“When the red flag happened I tried to get some laps by myself and I did about five or six and was only a couple of tenths off so the pace in the car is there.
“I don’t think I quite nailed it, so I apologised to the guys. The car was good enough for a P1 but unfortunately it was not to be and I don’t think any of us were complaining with a front row start.”
With the rear-wheel drive BMW notoriously good off the line, Collard believes the start will be vital to securing a good result in the opening race tomorrow.
“I’ve got to speak to my Dad because I have got to nail this start! Obviously the start is really crucial,” he explains.
“And I feel like I do have the pace in the car, so if I can get a good start, if I can get away I’m hoping for a nice Sunday drive but who knows! It’s British touring cars.”
Having grown up watching his father race in the championship, Collard admits achieving such a result was a “humbling” feeling.
“I’ve followed it for years and years and years, and being the other side of the fence – before I could even walk I was here. And now I’ve qualified a British touring car on the front row for such a great team. It’s quite humbling,” said Collard.
“My Dad isn’t well – and that’s the other thing – because he’s not well. Obviously I want him to be in the car because as much as I enjoy driving it I enjoy seeing him out there.
“And all the fans on social media have been absolutely incredible just being so supportive. I wish him the speediest recovery and who knows maybe he’ll be out at Brands Hatch.
“Maybe we might have four cars instead! That’d be cool!”