Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish feels he could do nothing to challenge reigning champion Colin Turkington’s BMW 3 Series in the opening British Touring Car Championship race at Oulton Park.
Cammish headed the second row of the grid for the first contest, and managed to jump front row starter Sam Tordoff into turn one, as well as fending off Andrew Jordan’s fast-starting BMW behind.
He told TouringCars.Net the race start was essential to “set up” his podium finish, but admitted he felt like he had been “played with” in terms of the lead gap as Turkington had enough pace in hand to control the race from the front.
“I did enough to hold Andy [Jordan] off, I really thought he’d just muller past but he didn’t,” said Cammish.
“Went side by side through turn one and jumping Sam [Tordoff], that set the race up really. We gave chase, but I think ultimately there’s an extra gear that he can go to that I can’t get to.
“I felt a little bit like a mouse getting a bit played with there. I’d close the gap, then he’d teach me a bit of a lesson. Then I’d close the gap, and he’d do it again.”
“I had enough against Andy, I do think we were genuinely faster than Andrew in that race. We pulled away from P4 which is also a Honda, so for the front-wheel drive contingent I think I’m doing a good job, holding it in the fight.”
Cammish continued to explain where he could see Turkington’s advantage making the difference at the Cheshire circuit, and feels the nature of the circuit suited both the rear-wheel drive format and the tendencies of the 330i M Sport.
“I think it’s Colin who is really making the difference there in the BMW, he’s just got too much speed,” he said.
“That BMW has just got so much speed. Unfortunately that was the soft tyre and he can’t put any more weight in for the next one – I’m all for bringing 75kg back!
“You can see it – behind it lap after lap – I can see where it’s just helping with the nature of the circuit, there’s places that just really help him out.
“We’re good on the brakes, I think the squirt mid and out of the corner, the way the car rotates for him whereas I have to wait on the power cos otherwise I’ll understeer. You can see it so clearly.
“It’s a nightmare, you just think how fast would he go with no weight in it. When you’re pretty much the next-best guy on track, which I think I was, I mean, what’s everyone else thinking?”
Cammish also lamented the situation in the Teams and Manufacturer’s Championship as team-mate Matt Neal suffered a heavy hit at Druids after a wheel came off the car mid-corner.
The next race of the day at Oulton Park is scheduled to get underway at 14:50 BST, with another 15-lap contest.