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After
strong performances in pre-season testing, BRDC Stars of Tomorrow scholarship
winner, Daniel Lloyd and his team’s hopes were high ahead of his first race at
the historic Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.
However,
the Tockwith Motorsport driver discovered a problem with his car on Friday
which momentarily upset his preparations - “We
had a technical problem which we couldn’t cure, and in the end we simply had to
swap to another car. I was still a bit off the pace, but the new car was a
definite improvement.” But his dramas weren’t over yet - during Saturday’s
practice the catalytic converter failed, necessitating a new exhaust system.
In
Timed Qualifying session, Daniel qualified in a respectable 14th
place - “I was a bit disappointed to be
honest, because I really wanted to be in the top ten - but at least I wasn’t at
the back!”
The
damp, tricky conditions did little to calm the 15-year old’s nerves as he
exited the pits to make his way round to the start for his first ever car race.
He got off the line cleanly and managed to work his way up to 11th
place. However a mistake saw him spin off the track. Keeping his engine running
and with a sizeable advantage over the 12th-placed driver, Lloyd was
able to calmly rejoin, holding his 11th place to the flag. “I’m still learning the limits of the car
and myself and just dropped it at Clearways. Still, I’m pleased to finish my
first ever race in one piece.”
With
huge crowds filling the grandstands on Sunday, the Huddersfield Grammar pupil admitted
that he was “wetting” himself prior
to the race.
Nevertheless
he got a great start, passing three cars into the first corner. On the 2nd
lap, two cars spun and he moved up to 9th. Carrying superior speed
onto the start/finish straight, Daniel caught Cassey Watson on the approach to
Paddock Hill bend and dived down her inside. In fact he was so quick, that as
he passed Watson, he surprised Aaron Williamson ahead of him, who promptly ran
wide, hooked a wheel in the gravel and speared off the circuit - once again
bringing out the safety car and promoting Daniel to 7th. The number
of safety car periods appeared to take their toll on some of the front-runners,
who were beginning to lose their cool. A  collision between the two leaders saw
Daniel inherit 5th place - becoming the top rookie on the track. A
solid, sensible drive to the chequered flag cemented his position to the delight
of his team.
Richard
Dean, Managing Director of Ginetta Cars commented: “Daniel should be really pleased with himself. Making the transition
from karts to cars isn’t easy. Everything’s different – from the starting
procedures, to the way you drive. And to have to perform in such of a big crowd
on your debut is especially nerve-wracking.”
Daniel
said: “I’m glad to have got my first race
meeting out of the way now and can’t believe how well it turned out. There’s
plenty to build on and I’m confident that, as the season progresses, I can be
challenging for podiums.”
With
little time for Daniel to savour the memory of his dramatic debut – Lloyd’s
back in action next weekend (5 / 6 April) at the Ginetta Festival at Cadwell Park,
Lincolnshire.
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