Matt Simpson was delighted to score his first pole position in the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park, saying that the achievement was the culmination of a life-long ambition.
Simpson – who until 2018 had never qualified in the top ten and whose previous best qualifying result was eighth – stunned the BTCC paddock on Saturday to take a first pole by almost a quarter of a second at Oulton Park.
The Simpson Racing driver beat Motorbase driver Sam Tordoff to pole and admitted afterwards that he felt he could challenge for pole after having topped the times in second practice.
“I can’t believe it – I’ve been waiting for that for as long as I’ve been watching touring cars,” said Simpson. “I knew we could do it after that time in free practice two but the pressure was on there.
“When my team said I was 0.4 seconds ahead of Sam in first, I couldn’t believe it as that’s an age in touring cars.
“I just can’t thank everyone enough for this – my family, my sponsors and the team.”
Simpson is looking forward to starting race one from the prime grid position, with a clear view of the first corner and without having to make an uphill start as he has had to in previous years
“I had a little off after that lap and hit the barrier. I lost the brake pedal as I overdid it with the slightly softer pads I like – they give me better modulation through the pedal and I’d just overcooked it a bit.
“I joked on the track walk yesterday that I’d never started on the flat here, I’ve always had to go up hill. With the soft tyre on, the ideal tyre, we’re looking good and it gives me a good chance tomorrow. It really is a dream come true.”