WSR will battle for Jack Sears Trophy success on Sunday after Charles Rainford and Daryl DeLeon qualified alongside each other for the latest round of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft.
LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR driver Charles edged out his WSR stablemate Daryl by just eight thousandths of a second during the Q2 phase of qualifying: both drivers missing out on spots in the ‘Quick Six’ pole shoot-out by tiny margins.
Having progressed in commanding fashion from their Q1 group, both Charles and Daryl ran near the front of the field during the opening half of Q2 and remained in the hunt to the final minute; both drivers less than a tenth of a second from a top-six result.
For Charles, the top JST qualifier, it was a third top-10 Saturday result of his rookie season while Anglo-Filippino driver Daryl celebrated his 20th birthday with the third top-10 result of his career at the very track where he made his BTCC debut in 2023.
Also in the mix was Charles’ LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR driver Aiden Moffat, who won at Croft from pole position five years ago.
The Scotsman was the fastest BMW driver in Free Practice 2 in 10th overall and was again in the mix during the opening part of qualifying, but frustratingly had a lap removed, which would have easily secured progress to Q2, for exceeding track limits.
He was eighth-fastest in Group 2 as a result, just eight hundredths of a second away from a progression spot, and will start Sunday’s opener from 16th.
Sadly, missing from qualifying was the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW of Jake Hill.
The reigning champion felt unwell after FP1 and was later diagnosed with a viral infection and ruled out of the weekend by the BTCC medical team on health grounds, leaving no feasible option but to withdraw the car from the rest of the weekend.
Sunday’s three races will all be broadcast live on ITV4, starting at 1210.
Charles Rainford, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR: “We had a good day today. It was a testing FP2 with a few red flags, which affected our run plan a bit, but ninth place, best of the Jack Sears Trophy drivers, and fastest BMW means it’s all good. We’ve improved the car a bit over the summer break, but clearly nobody’s stood still. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. There’s some potential wet weather so let’s see if that happens and how it plays out on the tyre strategy.”
Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR: “I did a really good lap that would have progressed me into Q2 quite comfortably, only to lose it for track limits. We reviewed the footage and are pretty certain it wasn’t a track-limits offence so…”
Daryl DeLeon, WSR: “It’s been pretty good today. Tenth is one of my better qualifying results this year. We made it into Q2 so we’ll do a bit of analysis now and see where we can pick up some speed for tomorrow. It was my birthday today as well so my first day as an adult – 20 – wasn’t too bad. We’re starting pretty high up so hopefully we can keep moving forwards.”
Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport: “It’s such a shame that this has happened today. I didn’t feel well this morning during practice so went to the medical centre and unfortunately have been told I can’t race. It’s gutting for the team at WSR and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, but our focus now will be on getting better.”
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal: “To have two BMWs in the top 10 with two relatively inexperienced drivers – and ahead of four-time champion Ash Sutton – is a good result and I’m sure Charles and Daryl will continue their battle for the Jack Sears Trophy across all three races. From where Aiden is, I’m sure he can move forwards tomorrow as well. Of course, we’re heading into race day with three cars rather than four because Jake’s been ruled out on medical grounds. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back as soon as possible.”
