Whenever we come here, I seem to be able to do a 48.9. We just cannot get past that at the moment, but the Airwaves BMW is really fantastic. I feel we can race a lot better than the Vauxhalls. I think that come the end of the race, we’ll be in much better condition than them.
We thought we could improve the car for qualifying, so we adjusted the roll bar and bits and pieces and I did a 49.2 on the first run, which I was reasonably happy with. But then everyone went a lot quicker. We struggled a little bit with the balance and the only thing we could do was to go back to the previous set-up from free practice two. We only had six minutes left when I got out on the track and luckily for me, I managed to wring a lap out of the race and end up in P3!
I’m very pleased for Jonny, too. I think that’s a very good qualifying performance. He’s a tenth under the qualifying times here from last year and I think he should be absolutely delighted with where he’s qualified. If he can get some good races under his belt, it’ll be great for the team.
I’ve had a million questions about the start. Everyone seems to think we’re going to do the Vauxhalls off the start line, but you’ve got two of the cunningest drivers in the touring cars starting in front. They’re teammates and they’re not going to want any BMW to come past them. If the gap appears – and you can never say until the red light goes out – I’ll be very pleased to go by them, but if not, I’m quite happy to sit there…to start with.
Steve Neal came and spoke to me for the first time in three years after qualifying and congratulated me, so I hope we continue a decent relationship. I’ve never really had a problem with Matt. We’ve had our problems in the past, but me and Matt have never really had a cross word and I hope this year we don’t end up that way. The same with Giovanardi really.
For the championship, we have to look at the longer view. Giovanardi and countless others have shown that you don’t have to win every race to be champion. You need to be there or thereabouts at every race. That’s what my plan is.
Tags: 2009, brands hatch, btcc, collard, rob
