As qualifying got underway in the brilliant sunshine at the Kent circuit all the drivers took to the track to set their opening times. Both Sean and Peter worked hard to make space on the track for their quick laps and were able to deliver in the uninterrupted session. Sean’s fastest time secured him ProAm1 pole position for Sunday’s first race with his second fastest time good enough for P3 on the race two grid.
Peter meanwhile clocked up two quick times to secure a brace of second places. The first race will be a rolling start followed by a standing start for the second race of the day. Race two will be broadcast live on ITV4 at 3:30 on Sunday with highlights of race one expected to be broadcast during the programme.
Sean Hudspeth (ProAm1 – Starts race one 1st and race two in 3rd)
“It was pretty good. It was my first time qualifying at Brands, my first time qualifying in the series and only my second time qualifying in the car, so we really had no expectations. Some of these guys have so much experience in the car. On such a small circuit with so many cars it’s very hard to really find that lap, to find the space and to bring the tyres in at the right time.”
“Overall, to get P1 in class was brilliant so we hit the target for session. I wasn’t quite as comfortable on the second set of tyres but the bottom line is the team did a really good job with the car. I’m thankful I could get a good result for them. There are no points for qualifying though so we’ll look forward to the races. It’s quite hard to overtake here so starting at the front is a big benefit.
Peter Kyle-Henney (ProAm2 – Starts race one 2nd and race two in 2nd)
“It was good. It’s a shame it wasn’t pole but John is a quick peddler. It would have been nice to be P1 but P2 is good enough. The car feels really good. We had a bit of a problem with it yesterday morning but that was cured with some setup changes we made which improved the car no end. We took that into qualifying today and it was beautiful. The car was very stable. It took a bit more time to get the second set of tyres in than I expected, so I ran a bit wide at Paddock. Other than that, the car feels very strong and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Paul Robe (Team Principal)
“As qualifying sessions go, I’m very pleased. Sean did a great job. It was tough out there today and that’s the first time he’s worked under that kind of pressure, with two sets of new tyres in a half hour qualifying session and he did very well. We were looking to qualify at the front of our class, which is what we’ve done.”
“He was a bit disappointed with himself as he didn’t optimise his second set of tyres but that will come. That was the job we needed and we’re really in a good place for tomorrow.”
“With Peter, he absolutely drove to the best of his abilities today. He put in the best lap he has ever done around Brands Indy so you can’t do better than that. At the end of the day, he’s found all of the time he has in him and he’s developing more because he’s come back after quite a long lay off. To do what he did today, and go P2 on the grid behind last year’s champion is very commendable so I’m very pleased and we’re in a good place for tomorrow.”