Howard Fuller says he needs ‘to make something happen’ to address a boost deficit in TCR UK qualifying at Brands Hatch.
The Sean Walkinshaw Racing Honda Civic FK2 has struggled thus far in the speed traps during both practice sessions, with Fuller’s best time a 49.746s, over 1.2 seconds behind pace-setter Dan Lloyd’s Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.
Despite that Fuller, who qualified an impressive third at Silverstone after a prolonged period away from competitive action, is confident of pulling a rabbit out of the hat.
“We’re just struggling a little bit with boost, we’ve been turned down unfortunately. We’re running some older tyres but we’re looking okay, I think we just need to make something happen,” said Fuller to TouringCars.net.
“I’ve got faith the team have the tools to do it, and I know I can do it – the data says so – I’m confident.”
He also believes the physical and mental capabilities of the drivers will make the difference in what are expected to be searing track temperatures at Brands Hatch tomorrow.
“If anything, I think it’s going to be more the driver [that makes the difference], because at Silverstone you get a little bit of a rest, if you like, obviously Knockhill is pretty ‘on it’, but there are opportunities to have a breather, whereas there is always stuff going on here,” he added.
“You’re always well up the road, in terms of vision, and thinking about what’s coming up next so I think the driver is going to be a big factor in it all.
“Brake management is going to be one of the most important things, I think the tyres are good enough to last the race distance. Overall, the cars are built to last and as long as a driver is capable mentally and physically, they should be OK.
“There will be opportunities at the end of the race, I think in the last five or six minutes, we’ll see some good racing as well.”