Mixed emotions for front row starter Josh Cook

Triple Eight Racing’s Josh Cook was left with mixed emotions after qualifying just behind his team-mate Ash Sutton in an MG one-two at Donington Park this afternoon.

Cook had looked to be just ahead of fellow Renault Clio Cup alumni Sutton in the dramatic final stages of the session, before Sutton pipped him on his final run and a red flag put pay to any further changes to the order.

The 24-year-old was nevertheless positive about his chances tomorrow, as he will be racing ballast-free compared with Sutton’s 27kg of weight.

“We made the tyre choice at the right time and before the first red flag I was a lap ahead, so I kept banging it back to pole every time and I knew we were comfortable,” said Cook to TouringCarTimes.

“The first lap [after the red flag] was more of a banker, because you needed to be on the track at the end. The second lap was a bit quicker, but it was all going to be down to that last lap.

“Obviously Ash pulled one out of the bag a lap earlier than I was planning to and he’s nailed it. Credit to the team – obviously disappointed not to be on pole, but we can race from there.”

Looking ahead to race day and his chances of winning, Cook was mindful of the need to play the team game.

“I was quickest in FP1 and FP2 and P1 for most of quali, so it’s going to be a good day tomorrow. I’m ballast-free and Ash has got a bit of weight on,” he said.

“It’s going to be a race to that first corner but we need to keep out of trouble and see how many points we can get for the manufacturers. It’s going to be every man for himself but it’s important we finish 1-2.”