Daniel Lloyd says sticking with slick tyres during the closing stages of TCR UK’s inaugural qualifying session at Silverstone was crucial to his securing pole position.
The WestCoast Racing driver looked to have missed out on top spot to the Hyundai i30 N of Lewis Kent, but a late flurry of times on a rapidly drying surface re-shaped the top three in the dying embers of the session.
Aiden Moffat will line-up alongside Lloyd on the front row in the Laser Tools-backed Alfa Romeo Guilietta TCR, with Howard Fuller an emotional third for SWR, the former Team.HARD man in tears after snatching a second row starting slot at the death.
“It was great, mainly because of the conditions and the circumstances,” commented Lloyd.
“Any pole position is good, but by far it wasn’t an easy one! We put a pair of slick tyres on and went out; we dropped about three seconds a lap and people were coming in and giving up but we stuck it out and it counted when it needed to.
“There are some really quick guys out here racing this weekend, and especially with these conditions mixing things up a bit as well.
“The aim is to win, that’s what we’re here for and we’ll just see how we get on. I just want to say thank you to WestCoast Racing for making sure we’re always up there as well; I think they did about eight separate tyre changes during that session – they were on form.
Lloyd also admitted a strong weekend would only be positive as he looks to convert his guest appearance into a full-season assault on the title.
“The aim after this weekend is to try and keep going for the remainder of this championship, so it’s important that I continue to perform for the rest of this weekend.”
The first race is scheduled to begin at 14:00 tomorrow, with live coverage available online through TCR UK’s website and social media platforms.