Colin Turkington admitted that securing his 28th career pole position in the British Touring Car Championship was ‘pretty unexpected’ given his lack of available hybrid boost.
Going into the meeting fourth overall in the drivers’ standings, Turkington had just seven seconds of hybrid available, out of a maximum of 15 available to drivers further down in the standings.
But the Northern Irishman was able to produce a lap of 47.875 seconds in the all-important Q3 session, edging out team-mate Adam Morgan by 0.050 seconds in glorious warm sunshine at the Kent circuit.
“It’s been a really good qualifying session both for myself and for Team BMW,” said Turkington. “Pole position was pretty unexpected as we came into the weekend with only seven seconds of hybrid.
“I was hoping to get into Q3 and the ‘Quick Six’ and I got there. We hoped to find a little bit of time as the sessions went on and we did that, so come Q3 it all came together.
“I got the lap together when the tyres were at their peak and then you have to wait and see what the front-wheel-drive cars can do.
“It was pretty intense and nerve-wracking, but I’m really pleased to come out on top.”