Photo: TCR Media

Oscar Nogués not surprised with Opel pace

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Oscar Nogués scored an unexpected eighth place in qualifying yesterday at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain, for Campos Racing.

TouringCarTimes met up with the Opel driver to understand the reasons behind the outstanding performance.

“To be honest, I knew the car had a lot of potential,” said Nogués. “We needed a bit more engine power, but as we tried to do the tweaks required to increase the output something went wrong. We finally managed to get the car running properly and I have to admit I am very happy with the result.”

The Spaniard scored the team’s best result so far this season, as the Opel Astra OPC experienced several issues ever since it hit the track in Sepang: “We need mileage and reliability, because I think we have the potential to increase the performance of the Astra up to the front of the field. The problem is that I have no idea what the races are going to be like.”

In fact, the Campos Racing cars haven’t done a long run so far, as the reliability of the Opel did not allow the team to sample its behaviour on a longer distance: “Race 1 is going to be a bit of a jump into the unknown. I am happy for everyone in the team, because the boys worked really hard, but we had no chance to do more than ten laps, so I have no idea what the car is going to be like after that.”

After a huge puff of smoke came out of the bonnet in Free Practice 2, due to an oil leak, Nogués did not feel let down by the issue, and is actually quite keen on continuing the project: “At the moment I am here to sample the qualities of the car and, although we need to work a lot on the reliability of the Opel, I think it is very promising and interesting.

After Valencia I will have a meeting with both Campos Racing and Rangoni Motorsport, because I drive for that team as well, and we will decide what to do next. I think it’s realistic to say I might take part in the European rounds of the TCR International Series.”

Nogués will start the first race in eighth and, due to the reversed grid, from third in Race 2.