Aiden Moffat told TouringCars.net he ‘could have pushed harder’ to counter any potential threat from behind after taking his first British Touring Car Championship victory.
Moffat, who claimed an early lead after a superb switchback on a ballast-laden Tom Ingram at Redgate, establish a two-second advantage which he maintained to the chequered flag.
The victory was Moffat’s first in the championship after 94 starts.
“We knew we were fast but to win the race like that, to get that gap and to be able to drive my own race and manage the gap, was a very special feeling” explained Moffat.
“It was a brilliant race – it couldn’t have been any better from where I was sitting.
“I could have pushed harder, but it’s a funny thing – when you’ve never won a race and you’re leading it by a gap, you don’t want to throw it off!”
He explained that the Laser Tools Racing pit wall kept him informed of Matt Neal’s rate of progression after the ballast-free Honda Civic Type R relieved Rob Austin of second and set about closing down the Mercedes A-Class.
“It’s a special feeling. We knew it was a strong car and we knew we could push forward to try and get a podium but to get out in front like that and hold a gap and dominate the race, you could say, was great.
“I knew there were four or five laps to go, and they said that I was losing a tenth a lap for a couple of laps at one point, but I knew that was enough, so I thought there’s no point pushing harder, to gain a tenth and throw it off. I was comfortable just doing that and I knew I’d have tyres at the end if I got caught.
“There was more in the car, but there was no need for it. It’s a great position to be in, but I don’t think race two is going to be quite as straightforward now.”
The Scot made a concerted attempt to take the lead in the opening stages after being mindful that those starting alongside him would be stronger later in the race.
“I knew Rob Austin was going to come on strong [later in the race], so we had to make that move quickly as he was struggling. I knew Ingram had the weight and the bad tyre and that if I could pass him he could hold up the other guys, and I could build that gap. I had to do it quickly, so I made an extra effort to get the moves done as soon as possible and it paid off thankfully.”