Dan Cammish says he is in need of a lift after the disappointment of missing out on pole position on his British Touring Car Championship debut.
The multiple Porsche Carerra Cup GB champion had led the capacity 32-car field in the early exchanges, but failed to stop for a red light on the end of the pit lane to signal his car should make it’s way to the scales, and his best lap time was subsequently deleted.
Though he would fight back to fourth behind the wheel of the new-for-2018 Honda Civic Type R FK7, the sense of disappointment remained when he spoke to TouringCars.net afterwards.
“In one way I’m happy to be fourth, because if someone had said to me ‘Dan, will you take fourth for your first start?’ I would have said yeah,” explained Cammish.
“But also another part of me knows that I always deliver something in qualifying that I don’t in practice and I thought I had more in me, and that lap proved it.
“To be stripped of it through no fault of my own, in a way, is disappointing – it’s not like I cut a corner or anything. I did the lap and then I had a million and one other things in my ear, with the team, and there’s so much stuff to think about and concentrate on, that spotting that red light never occurred to me.
“I’d been on the scales already numerous times. I’m disappointed in everything. I feel like I deserved it and that the team deserved it. It would have been a hell of a story, and we’ve been robbed of that moment. I’ve dreamt of that moment forever really. Everything I do, everything I work for is for that moment.”
Despite the disappointment, Cammish underlined his mindset now turns to focus on scoring solid results during tomorrows season-opening triple header.
“In a way it’s a kick, a real kick, and I’ve got to pick myself up now, because that’s my job tomorrow to come back and fight stronger than ever. You can bet your arse I’m motivated now!
“Fourth is still a great result, it still puts me at the sharp end and it still gives me every chance to have a great weekend, and that’s what I’m here for.
“Qualifying is only one part of it. I might start fourth and I might lead the first lap. We have no idea what’s coming and it could be a blessing in disguise.”