Daniel Lloyd claimed a second consecutive front row start in front of a home crowd at Croft circuit last weekend during rounds 13, 14 & 15 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

After claiming fastest lap honours during the morning’s final free practise session in the #23 Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type R, the 24-year-old Yorkshireman backed it up by clocking a late fast lap on the North Yorkshire circuit to claim his second front row start in succession. In an almost mirror repeat of Oulton Park just two weeks earlier and despite struggling with outright pace in the Civic, Lloyd narrowly missed out pole position to double-champion Turkington by just 0.397 seconds.

“We took a bit of a risk at the end of the session and we only really had one lap to move up the order so it was great that we managed to make that lap count and claim second;” commented Lloyd.

“We were struggling a bit with outright pace against the rear wheel drive cars so it was mega to be on the front row for the second weekend on the bounce - even more so at my home circuit. We had lots of guests with us from Support Warehouse and it was great to have them all on the grid walk for my front row start.”

Sadly for Lloyd the weekend’s early successes didn’t get the chance to materialise into results for the 24-year-old after an early retirement in Sunday’s opening race curtailed the Yorkshire patron’s progress in the remaining races.

After a blistering start in race 1, Lloyd found himself on the outside of race leader Turkington as they headed into turn one. With the choice of braking late or being pushed wide into the gravel, Lloyd turned in as the pair raced for the lead and the #23 Civic was unfortunately clipped by the Subaru – pitching the Honda into the gravel leaving Lloyd unable to continue the race.

“I got a really good start off the line;” explained Lloyd. “I was expecting to be in P4 or P5 by turn 1 because I was surrounded by rear wheel drive cars but managed to get alongside Turkington straight away but it forced me to take the outside line. It’s horrible out there as you have two options; go for it or stay wide and then let everyone fly past down your inside. So I took the gamble, I still think I did the right thing going for the lead, it was just such a shame that it didn’t pay off.”

Joining at the back of the grid for race 2, Lloyd made a gallant attempt to make his way through the field on the rear wheel drive favoured circuit. Unfortunately damage picked up during the opening lap affected the handling on the Civic which eventually crossed the line in 23rd place.

Lloyd’s final race fared better with the Team MSA driver managing to make up an impressive 10 places in very difficult racing conditions after the wipers failed on the Civic. Despite being unable to see the track, Lloyd battled hard to make his way up into P13 by the final lap securing his sixth points finish from his nine appearances this season.

“Overall it was a disappointing weekend;” concluded Lloyd. “After such a great start you can’t help but wonder what could have been if I’d had taken the other option in race 1. But hindsight is a wonderful thing and as a driver you have to make split second decisions – unfortunately this time it didn’t pay off.

“Taking the positives into the break though I’ve shown that I have the pace and can consistently set a fast lap in qualifying. Even when we were struggling with the car we still managed to move forward so once everything clicks into the place I feel sure that a podium isn’t too far away.

“I’d just like to thank all of my sponsors; Silver Bay Point, Support Warehouse, Mend A Hose, The Print Academy and Propack for their continued support. We have a lot of work to do over the summer break but I’m feeling really confident that we’ll come out fighting again at Snetterton!”

Highlights of rounds 13, 14 & 15 from Croft will be shown on ITV4 from 12.20 – 1.50pm on Saturday June 25 and will be available on demand via the ITV hub at www.ITV.com. The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship now heads into its extended summer break before returning at Snetterton in Norfolk for rounds 16, 17 & 18 on July 30/31.ITV4 can be found on Freeview channel 24, ITV4 HD on Sky channel 120.