Jack Goff is confident his Honda Civic Type R has the long-run pace to convert pole position into the first victory of the 2018 British Touring Car Championship season tomorrow.
The Eurotech Racing driver inherited the lead on the timesheets after Dan Cammish was penalised for a technical infringement, but believes nonetheless that, based on data gathered so far, he stands a strong chance of holding off the chasing pack behind to win the opening round.
That pack will be led by the returning Sam Tordoff in Motorbase’s new-for-2018 Ford Focus RS model, and 2017 runner-up Colin Turkington in the WSR-run BMW 1-series.
“We were second before Dan lost his times, but we’ll take it anyway,” said Goff.
“We ended last year on a high, and it’s pretty special to get the first pole of 2018 for WIX Racing with Eurotech.
“I’ll need to keep my wits about me tomorrow and make sure I don’t make any mistakes like happened at the GP circuit last season.”
Goff also paid tribute to the Eurotech technical staff, after an off-season that has seen them switch to the Neil Brown Honda engine from the Swindon/TOCA model.
“Hats off to all the Eurotech boys and girls, who have done an absolutely fantastic job – and to achieve this with a different engine in the car compared to last year proves some of the doubters wrong.
“The pace seems good over a long run, and the drop-off doesn’t look to be too bad at all, so hopefully we can put it on the top step of the podium tomorrow.”