Andrew Jordan was disappointed to qualify outside the top ten for the first round of this years British Touring Car Championship after showcasing the potential of the BMW 125i M Sport in free practice.
Jordan, who also completed his first mileage with his own B48 engine unit, will start 11th on his BMW Pirtek Racing debut.
Qualifying proved a changeable affair, with torrentially wet weather juxtaposed with several red-flag stoppages at Brands Hatch, restricting lap time and leaving those who put early times in on a dry surface at the sharp end of the timesheets.
“I’m a bit disappointed to be starting P11, because the BMW is seriously fast and the pace we showed in practice had me confident I’d qualify on the front two rows,” admitted Jordan.
“I was just a victim of circumstance really. Brands Indy is such a short circuit that you need two laps to heat up the tyres and with the stoppages and the weather today, those who were on-track at the right time had the best results.
“I set my fastest first sector just as the rain began to fall at the end of the lap, had a big moment at Surtees, so that was that.”
Team Principal Dick Bennetts shared Jordan’s frustration, but underlined his belief that the 2013 champion can make solid progress on raceday, BMW’s first as a fully-fledged manufacturer entry in the BTCC since 1996.
“Andrew’s practice pace was very encouraging, especially as he’d had very little mileage with our new engine ahead of this weekend,” said Bennetts.
“It’s a shame circumstances outside of our control have prevented him from repeating the morning speed in qualifying, but that’s motor racing sometimes.
“We’re confident he can make some good progress tomorrow and give BMW a strong result on their return to the BTCC as a Manufacturer entrant.”