Daniel Lloyd signed off his 2020 TCR Europe series campaign in Spain over the weekend ending a condensed rollercoaster season placed 5th – from 32 contenders – in the championship standings (6-7 November).
Heading to Madrid’s historic Circuito del Jarama with a slim outside chance of challenging for the 2020 title, the weekend sadly failed to deliver the results required to close the gap to the championship leaders.
Carrying 50kg of ballast into the season finale, the Honda Civic Type R struggled to find the pace to challenge at the front of the pack on the Spanish track. Despite qualifying at the back of the grid, Lloyd battled his way up to 9th in the opening race and took P13 in the season closer. Unfortunately, neither result secured the necessary points needed to claim the TCR crown.
It was a disappointing end to the year for 28-year-old Lloyd who had led the championship standings during the first half of the season. Taking victory at Paul Ricard in the opening round, and following up with a further two podiums at Zolder and Monza, the Brutal Fish Racing Team driver had built up an impressive points lead before a series of unfortunate incidents derailed his championship challenge.
“After a dream start, and leading the championship for a long way, the second half of the season was not what we hoped for at all;” commented Lloyd.
“It was a season of what could have been. A small hit at Monza led to a puncture; 60kg of ballast at Barcelona – where the times are so close – put me out of the top ten. Then at Spa – after running fastest in the dry – we made the wrong tyre choice and picked up damage, and we were back fighting against the 50kg of weight again this weekend with no pace.”
“It’s been a tough second half for sure;” added the ABRACS-backed racer. “It’s the same for everyone, but sometimes in life – and especially in motorsport – you need a little luck. It simply didn’t go our way.
“I’ve worked as hard as I could have this season, and I’m extremely proud that when the conditions and weight were level – we showcased just how strong the Honda and the Brutal Fish Racing Team really are. Certainly, my highlight of the season was round 1. Qualifying in P3, being the top Honda – even against a top WTCR driver, and then coming through to win the race.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to Martin Ryba, Andy, the Brutal Fish boys and the JAS Motorsport family for all their support this season. We had a full season in just two and a half months, with an insane amount of paperwork, endless COVID tests and quarantine to overcome, so a huge thanks to them all.
“Also thank you to my sponsors ABRACS and Propack for sticking by me this season in such a difficult year. I’m very grateful to have raced this season, but I’m not sure what next year will bring! I’ll be working hard to secure a drive somewhere. We’ll just have to see what 2021 brings.”
Lloyd signs off rollercoaster TCR Europe season in Jarama
