Dan Lloyd says the ‘long and twisty’ nature of the brand new Zhejiang International Circuit will potentially suit his SEAT León, as the TCR International Series heads to China this weekend.
The Zhejiang circuits is hosting TCR for the first-ever time, with the recently completed circuit being a complete unknown to all drivers and teams in the competition.
Having studied the circuit layout, with its flowing corners and twisty in-field section, Lloyd things that the 3.2 kilometre track might be better matched to his car than recent circuits have been.
“We struggled with some over-heating problems in Thailand,” said Lloyd. “The data showed up a number of things from the last round and the guys have been working hard on finding a solution.
“We’ve got a few things to try on the car during Friday’s test session, which will be our first chance to put them into practice so that were ready in time for qualifying on Saturday.
“I don’t think it will be as close this weekend as it has been in recent rounds. It looks like quite a tricky circuit where you really have to have the car dialled in to make a difference.
“It’s long and twisty layout will need a lot of mechanical grip which could potentially benefit us, whereas our car has been a bit weaker in a straight line. Hopefully the tight and twisty nature which help us and we can bag some points to get back in the Championship fight.”
Lloyd heads to the new facility in Shaoxing 15th overall in the drivers’ championship standings, having contested eight races since joining the series mid-way through the year after four events had already taken place.
As a result, the Yorkshireman is focussed on helping the Craft-Bamboo Racing team to make further gains in the Team’s championship standings, where the outfit has the goal of reducing the 93-point deficit to leading outfit M1RA.
“With only two rounds left, my priority to make sure the car is sorted and on point for Sunday,” added the 25-year-old. “It’s important that I learn the circuit as quickly as possible.
“This is our last chance to close the gap in the Teams’ standings so that we can go to Dubai with a shot of claiming the title.”