Traffic hell for Mat Jackson causes him to miss the top ten

Motorbase Performance’s Mat Jackson explained that traffic on his final lap in qualifying cost him a sure-fire spot in the top ten at Rockingham, but that none of the front-wheel drive cars had a chance for pole today.

Jackson qualified in 11th position, just under half a second off the pole-winning pace of BMR Subaru driver James Cole, but said traffic on his final lap cost him time.

“We got held up in traffic on our fastest lap, which hurt us by a tenth or two,” said Jackson to TouringCarTimes. “That said, I don’t think we have the pace to touch the Subaru; it seems to be in another league,” he added.

Rockingham typically favours front-wheel drive cars in qualifying trip, but the fast oval section, coupled with a twisty in-field, is notoriously hard on tyres and brings the rear-wheel drive cars into the mix over a race distance.

“We know the rear-wheel drives around here are going to be quick, so it’ll be interesting to see how the cars run over a race distance. There have also been a few issues with tyres today, so we’ll’ see what tomorrow brings and let’s hope we’re on the right side, not the wrong side…but I think for the front-wheel drive cars tomorrow, it’s going to be a bit of damage limitation.”