It was another frustrating weekend for Daniel Lloyd and Power Maxed Racing in the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park last weekend, as the Yorkshireman failed to secure a top ten finish all weekend.
Lloyd went into the weekend having managed at least one top ten result at each of the three meetings preceding Oulton Park, but the Cheshire venue would turn out to be a tough circuit for the Vauxhall team.
Having qualified in just 16th, six tenths of a second off pole position although two places better than team-mate Jason Plato, Lloyd was left lamenting the changeable conditions which exacerbated ongoing set-up issues he faced.
Sunday’s first race saw the 29-year-old gain three places in a shortened six-lap race, at least giving him a points score to build upon.
However, Lloyd, struggling for grip, then went backwards in race two, having had to take evasive action to avoid contact, ultimately crossing the finish line out of the points in 21st.
The final race of the day, shortened to just eight laps, saw the TCR Europe race winner make up ten places on the favoured soft tyre, as he just missed out on a top ten finish with 11th.
Lloyd leaves Oulton Park in a frustrated mood, as he slips a place to 15th in the drivers’ standings.
“The weekend started really positively,” said Lloyd. “We were quick in FP2 in the tricky conditions and I think if the weather had stayed wet we’d have had a much better set of results.
“We struggled with balance issues again this weekend and just couldn’t get the rear planted to make the most of the new tyres in qualifying.
“We are struggling as a team and our pace isn’t where we would like it to be at the moment. We know what the issue is, and the team are working hard to solve it.
“We just need time testing to overcome it. P16 in qualifying with no weight in the car is not where we want to be or should be. We need some results soon.”
Lloyd also pointed to the frenetic on-track action as having cost him results at the weekend, in addition to his set-up woes.
“The races were absolutely crazy with all the red flag incidents and the crashing. I got a bit unlucky in certain situations where I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was hard work just trying to avoid incidents and I lost six positions in the process.
“The third race was positive on the soft tyre. The main issue with the setup is that the rear is way too loose. When you put the soft tyres on it transfers the grip to the rear, so it masks the issues and all of a sudden you become quick.
“Off-track, the weekend was a huge success. We had mega TV coverage with the on-board camera, and it was great to have my sponsors, family and friends trackside for support.”