Daryl DeLeon is targeting a trophy in the final three British Touring Car Championship races of the season at Brands Hatch, after the Un-Limited Motorsport driver secured a best-ever qualifying result on Saturday.
DeLeon qualified his CUPRA in eighth for the opening race on Sunday, one place better than his previous best in qualifying which was achieved at the start of the season.
His result was even more impressive considering that DeLeon completed the fewest laps of anyone prior to qualifying, as his team worked to resolve issues with his car in practice when it wouldn’t fire back up in the opening session of the day.
The 19-year-old will share the fourth row of the grid with Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble, but also has to contend with being in the midst of the overall title battle, with joint series leader Jake Hill starting directly in front.
DeLeon is hoping to be able to conclude his season with some silverware for the team, targeting improving on his haul of picking up one Independents’ class trophy at each meeting since the summer break.
“In FP1 we had a few issues with the car not firing back up again and a few other issues here and there,” explained DeLeon to TouringCars.Net.
“The team worked really hard to get me out for FP2, got a few laps in and got my eye in for the track. In qualifying we still made changes and still went in a bit blind, but we kept pushing as a team.
“I managed to improve and get eighth and I’m really happy with that and we’ll keep pushing in the races.
“I think it’s going to be hectic. I’d be really happy with a top ten and mega happy with a top five. I’m just going to drive my own race and enjoy it.
“I’m hoping to bring back a trophy for the team. It’d be really awesome and mega to bring back a trophy for the team for all the hard work and effort they’ve put in.”
DeLeon knows the importance of concluding the year with strong results to carry the momentum into the off-season.
“Everyone wants to end the year with a good result, but it’s also a confidence boost into next year.
“To end on a positive gets you fired up going into the winter and that momentum can carry on into next year.
“It is pretty important, but I’ll be happy in all the races tomorrow.”