JRM Racing target improved qualifying pace at World RX of Barcelona


Posted September 19, 2016 by PeterHHenry

JRM Racing drivers Guy Wilks and Guerlain Chicherit remain in contention for a place in tomorrow’s World RX of Barcelona semi finals.

 
JRM Racing drivers Guy Wilks and Guerlain Chicherit remain in contention for a place in tomorrow’s World RX of Barcelona semi finals – but acknowledge they will need to find some extra performance if they’re going to progress past the qualifying stages of the competition tomorrow (Sunday).

Both men are driving at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first time in their careers and this afternoon’s opening qualifying session marked the first time both drivers had raced JRM’s two-litre MINI RX Supercar in World RX competition.

Despite Guy and Guerlain enjoying a successful test in the run up to the event, Q1 didn't return the results either driver had hoped for.

Monster Energy Athlete Guerlain finished P5 in his race after stalling his #65 car as the lights went out on the start line, while Loco Energy Drink-supported Guy also lost valuable time at the start of his race when his #37 machine was nudged into the gravel at Turn One. The Briton eventually recovered to take P5 at the chequered flag.

With the intermediate points after Q1 determining the grids for Q2, Guy and Guerlain lined up against each other for the second race of the day. After a frantic four laps of racing, Guy just got the nod as he finished one place ahead of his French team-mate in P4.

Both drivers will need to find some extra pace in tomorrow’s Q3 and Q4 races if they’re going to progress in to the semi finals, but they remain determined to take the fight to their Supercar rivals when the competitive World RX action resumes on Sunday morning.

Double British Rally Champion Guy said: “I came off worst in my Q1 race as the guys around me were jostling for position and then I lost time at the start of the Q2 race as the car almost stalled. Once I got up to speed, I was running in the train and the dust was a nightmare.

"It hasn’t been the best of days and we’ve got a fair amount of work to do tomorrow to make it past Q4. But Sunday brings another couple of qualifying races and I’m determined to push to the maximum.

“We’re building good data with the car all the time and I’m feeling more and more comfortable with each lap. But it’s clear we need a bit more edge. We’ll be working hard to find that overnight.”

Cross-Country rally expert Guerlain said: “This is a completely new track for us and I was struggling with traction today. But every race is about developing the MINI RX in its current set-up and I think we’ve discovered a lot about the car in just two qualifying races this afternoon. The guys are now working hard to make further adjustments that will give us the grip to push harder tomorrow.

“Despite the results today, it’s still been awesome to race at such an iconic venue and in front of such passionate fans. The atmosphere in the stands and paddock has been very cool.”

JRM Racing Team Principal, James Rumsey, said: “We expected this to be a tough weekend but I think Guy and Guerlain have learned a lot about the car, track and competition today. It’s our job to make sure we use those experiences positively tomorrow so that we can make the required impact on the track and continue to move forward.”
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Tags guerlain chicherit , guy wilks , jrm racing , loco energy drink
Last Updated September 19, 2016