Daniel Lloyd endured a frustrating weekend during the fourth Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship meeting of the season at Oulton Park, with set-up issues and red flags resulting in a disappointing single-digit points haul (July 31-August 1).
Heading into the weekend in high spirits, the Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing team were confident that the earlier balance issues had been resolved. Unfortunately, despite posting a promising front-row worthy time during Saturday afternoon’s free practice session in tricky conditions, the set-up issues that have plagued the #123 Vauxhall Astra throughout the opening rounds returned and Lloyd’s best qualifying lap could only secure a P16 spot on the grid.
The Yorkshireman’s sterling performance during the weekend’s opening round saw him make up three places during a much-shortened six-lap contest – which was red-flagged following a heavy contact incident on track – battling his way into the points in P13 to open his weekend tally.
Struggling for grip and pace in race two, Lloyd found himself dropping back down the order during the frenetic action as he was forced to take evasive action to avoid contact, eventually crossing the line in P21.
Lloyd’s best result would come in the final race of the weekend. Running on the optimum soft-compound option tyre, the Huddersfield-based racer made impressive progress up the grid, advancing ten places – in-spite of the contest being red-flagged on two separate occasions. With just eight laps taking place, the 29-year-old claimed his second points finish of the day, taking P11 at the final flag.
Daniel Lloyd #123:
“The weekend started really positively. We were quick in FP2 in the tricky conditions and I think if the weather had stayed wet we’d have had a much better set of results. We struggled with balance issues again this weekend and just couldn’t get the rear planted to make the most of the new tyres in qualifying.
“We are struggling as a team and our pace isn’t where we would like it to be at the moment. We know what the issue is, and the team are working hard to solve it. We just need time testing to overcome it. P16 in qualifying with no weight in the car is not where we want to be or should be. We need some results soon.
“The races were absolutely crazy with all the red flag incidents and the crashing. I got a bit unlucky in certain situations where I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was hard work just trying to avoid incidents and I lost six positions in the process.
“The third race was positive on the soft tyre. The main issue with the setup is that the rear is way too loose. When you put the soft tyres on it transfers the grip to the rear so it masks the issues and all of a sudden you become quick.
“Off-track, the weekend was a huge success. We had mega TV coverage with the on-board camera and it was great to have my sponsors, family and friends trackside for support.”
Daniel currently sits in 10th place in the Independent Driver standings, with the Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing Team in 6th in the Independent Teams’ championship. The BTCC now has a short break before heading to Scotland for rounds 13, 14, 15 at Knockhill on August 14-15.
