Nicky Catsburg delighted by double pole

Nicky Catsburg admitted he was delighted to snare a double pole after dominating qualifying for the latest rounds of the World Touring Car Cup in Slovakia.

The BRC Racing man proved to be the class of the field during Friday’s running at the Slovakiaring, setting the quickest time across the two practice sessions and then setting the fastest time of the weekend to date to snare pole for race one.

“FP2 was already pretty good but you never know in practice who does what,” the Dutchman said. “Finally it came together and I’m mega-happy. I struggled a bit at the first two events, but I have a really good feeling here and and to take pole is mega.”

Despite mixed conditions in second qualifying, Catsburg led the way in all three parts of the session at the wheel of his Hyundai i30 N TCR to secure a maximum score of ten points and put himself right at the sharp end of the grid for two of Sunday’s three races.

“To get two out of two isn’t so bad,” he reflected. “I got a bit lucky being able to go out last in the final part of the second session, but to be able to choose that, you need to be P1 in the second part.

“It meant I got the drier track and I think Norbi [Michelisz] did well with his time and it’s good for the team to be 1-2 for two races.

“I’m super happy. Starting P10 in the middle race won’t be easy but it might rain and looking forward to it as we should be fine whatever the weather.”