Josh Cook on pole for Croft Qualifying Race

Josh Cook will start this afternoon’s British Touring Car Championship Qualifying Race at Croft from pole position after topping the times in qualifying at the North Yorkshire circuit.

Featuring in Group 2, the Speedworks Motorsport driver left it until the dying seconds to set a best time of 1:20.663s around the 2.13-mile venue, which in-turn secured a starting spot at the very front of the field for the upcoming 11-lap contest; the result of which will decide the grid for race one tomorrow.

Alliance Racing’s Dan Cammish led the way in Group 1 but ultimately finished a couple of tenths short of Cook’s benchmark time. That therefore means that the Yorkshireman will line up alongside the Toyota Corolla driver on the front row of the grid shortly.

Confirmation of where Cammish would start was questioned throughout the session. After topping the times in his segment, the Ford Focus driver lost his best time due to exceeding track limits; however after appealing it, he was reinstated.

As per the series’ format for this season, the group with the pole-setting lap time will occupy the odd-numbered grid positions for the Qualifying Race, while the other group occupy the even-numbered grid positions. Both are ordered by their qualifying times.

Starting third on the grid will be the lead Power Maxed Racing Audi A3 Saloon of Mikey Doble, who is ahead of reigning champion Tom Ingram. Starting directly behind him is championship leader Ash Sutton in fifth.

Completing the top ten is three-time title winner Gordon Shedden, the second Audi A3 Saloon of Aiden Moffat, Daryl De Leon, Ricky Collard and CPRL’s Dan Rowbottom.

The BTCC’s Qualifying Race from Croft is scheduled to commence at 15:05 and can be viewed via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvy681IjZgM.