The return to the British Touring Car season was eventful for the Wrotham based Airwaves Racing squad.
Young Irishman Aron Smith had got his number eight New Generation Touring Car up to sixth place during the early stages of qualifying.
He was then pushing hard to move into the top five when it went a bit wrong for him in his Ford Focus. As he entered Riches, he spun wildly before smashing into the barrier on the exit of the corner.
The car didn’t look in a good way and it resulted in a red flag for the clear-up to begin of the stricken Airwaves car.
Incredibly sixth is where Smith finished and he will start today’s races in a good position to hopefully score some good points and possibly even the teams first podium of the season.
Speaking after qualifying Smith said: “The car’s not looking great right now, but it’ll be fine,” commented an upbeat Smith. “We’ve changed a lot on the car recently and it’s just so much better. I did one flying lap, which was great, and then I made the mistake but sixth puts us in contention for tomorrow.”
Mat Jackson by contrast couldn’t break into the sort after top ten and ended up finishing in 13th place, but this will give the lead Airwaves Racing driver a chance at a good top ten finish at Snetterton.
The returning Liam Griffin in the Addison Lee Motorbase Ford Focus finished third in class in qualifying for the Jack Sears Trophy.
Griffin the Addison Lee boss will be going all out to take victory as he renews his rivalry with Lea Wood for the inaugural Jack Sears Trophy.