There was frustration for Huddersfield’s Daniel Lloyd during rounds 12 and 13 of the TCR International Series when an unexplained technical decision ruled the 25-year-old out of a strong podium challenge at the Hungaroring Circuit (17/18 June).
In spite of showing promising pace, Lloyd’s maiden visit to the Budapest circuit ended in disappointment after an unlucky and controversial ruling cancelled-out Lloyd’s Q2 lap time, relegating him to P11 for both of Sunday’s 14 lap races and out of contention for a podium finish.
The Yorkshireman bounced back in race 1 with a stunning performance that saw him pilot the #17 Lukoil Craft-Bamboo Racing SEAT Leon through the field to take P6 at the final flag – just behind his team-mate Pepe Oriola.
“Race one I had a really good start, which was the first good start I’ve had and made some places up off the line;” said Lloyd. “I showed really good pace to catch up to Pepe by the end of the race. I closed the gap massively and went from 11th to 6th.”
Unfortunately, Lloyd’s chances of securing further championship points for his team in race 2 were curtailed when he was taken out by an errant competitor on the opening lap. Marking a disappointing end to the weekend for the Lukoil Craft-Bamboo racer, after what had been a promising start.
“I had another good start for race two, got around the outside for the first corner, and I started 11th and I would have been up to about 7th or 8th by turn two;” Lloyd explained. “Unfortunately, an incident on the inside of the track collected me and smashed me into the barrier, which was a great shame.
“Given what happened in qualifying, if they hadn’t taken away my legal lap I would have been on the front row for that race and out of a lot of trouble. It could have been a very different weekend had it not been for that call, and a win certainly would have been on the cards given my race pace.
In spite of the results, Lloyd remains upbeat about his chances at the next round which takes place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, Germany on July 8/9.
“I have a big boost of confidence for the next round though now that I am dialled into the car;” added Lloyd. “I’m looking forward to Oschersleben, it’s a track that I know. Hopefully lady luck will make an appearance and we’ll come away with a decent result for the squad.”
/ENDS//
