James Nash takes strong third on the grid

James Nash pulled a fast lap out of the bag just as the chequered flag fell in qualifying at Brands Hatch yesterday to take third on the grid as he continues his challenge for the BTCC independents’ trophy.

The Triple Eight Race Engineering driver will line up third on the grid, one place behind the rival Vauxhall Vectra of Eurotech Racing’s Andrew Jordan.

“It was a last lap wonder really,” said Nash to TouringCarTimes.

“I was slipping back, I think I was back to 11th, the team had only told me I was back in ninth.

“The time was always there, it was just stringing it out, and every sector I was going through I knew I was on a half-decent lap. I came to the last corner and knew it was there if I got round. It was nice feeling to come across the line and be told P3.”

Few improvements were coming in the final part of qualifying, with both championship contenders Jason Plato and Matt Neal staying in the pits for the final minutes of the session, with Nash one of the only drivers to improve.

Nash will start line astern Jason Plato’s Chevrolet Cruze, with Alex MacDowall behind in fourth, who Nash sees as the main threat in today’s first race.

“The Chevrolets are quick this weekend because the ambient temperature is really hot, it suits their normally aspirated engines more than ours and the other turbos.”

Nash’s equal best qualifying performance of the season comes after a recent run of success, winning his first race outright at Rockingham two weeks ago, as well as taking victory in the GT4 class last weekend in the British GT championship on a one-off appearance.