Qualifying report

BTCC Brands Hatch Indy

Brands Hatch BTCC: Smith takes shock pole in chaotic qualifying

Jeff Smith has taken his first career BTCC pole position at Brands Hatch after a topsy-turvy qualifying session, which was interrupted by rain and red flags.

Edited: Apr 2, 2017, 12:50 AM

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Pole position for Jeff Smith, Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type R

Jeff Smith, Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type R

Tom Ingram, Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis

Rob Austin, Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis

The qualifying period was affected by two red flags and a mid-session rain shower, which mixed up the order and ruined many drivers’ programmes.

Colin Turkington was on top from his WSR BMW teammate Andrew Jordan when the first red flag flew, as Dave Newsham dropped his BTC Norlin Racing Chevrolet Cruze at the top of Paddock Hill Bend.

When the running resumed, Tom Ingram put his Speedworks Toyota Avensis on pole before Eurotech Racing’s Smith planted his Honda Civic Type R at the top.

That was just before the red flags flew as Ash Sutton had gone off at Paddock Hill Bend in his Team BMR Subaru. There was a lengthy break as the car was recovered.

However, a late downpour caused several cars to skate off later on in the session, and no others improved dramatically and Smith secured top slot.

“That was amazing,” said Smith. “It was a mega lap at the right time – I found some space, and I got a tow from Matt Neal. It was mega.

“I always think that I have a performance like this in me – that is why I am here – so I will always keep pushing, but it is physically executing it that means everything and I have managed that.

“I wasn’t counting my chickens when the others stopped running, but this is thrilling.”

Behind Smith, Ingram was second with Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal (Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type Rs) sharing row two.

Turkington halted the slide to finish fifth, from Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class), Smith’s teammate Jack Goff (Eurotech Honda) and Rob Austin (Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis).

Jake Hill (Team Hard VW CC) and Matt Simpson (Team Dynamics Honda) rounded out the top 10.

Former champion Andrew Jordan (WSR BMW) was 11th, while double champion Jason Plato was the leading Subaru Levorg GT in 18th position as the team struggled with handling woes.

Matt James

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