Lloyd bids for podium
J Ryan 4 9-7 ................................................ C Hardie 50 (20) B J Llewellyn 4 9-7 .............................. D Probert 52 (21) J Bennett 5 9-7 .... Racheal Kneller (5) 47 (44) Mark Pattinson 6 9-5 ........................ P Bradley (5) 57 (36) M Blake 4 9-5 ............................L Morris 46 J R Jenkins 6 9-3 ............................ Daniel Tudhope 55 (9) J Osborne 3 9-3 .............................D Costello 44 (169) M McGrath 10 9-2 .......................... S W Kelly 48 (86) N Mulholland 4 9-2 ......................... S Donohoe — (36) P Evans 4 9-2 ............................. M Cosham (3) 52 (193) M Appleby 4 9-2 .................A Rawlinson 51 (16) A Bailey 3 9-1 ......................Josephine Gordon 52 (99) Miss K George 3 8-13 .............. J Fanning 61 (9) J Gallagher 3 8-13 .................................J Haynes 68 BETTING: 9-2 Volturnus, 11-2 Iley Boy, 6 Kaisan, 8 Babette, Dibloam, 12 Moon Arrow, Galuppi, 14 Briac, The Last Melon, Netley Abbey, Tayaar, 16 Others. MOSSGO (146) J Best 7 9-9 (D8) ................................ R Havlin MALAYSIAN BOLEH (15) P McEntee 7 9-7 (CD) ...Nicola Currie (7) SHACKLED N DRAWN (52) P Hedger 5 9-7 (D3) ........C Bishop ENTERTAINING BEN (43) Miss Amy Murphy 4 9-6 (D2) . K Stott FIRST BOMBARDMENT (14) D O’Meara 4 9-5 (D2)... Daniel Tudhope PEARL ACCLAIM (14) D C Griffiths 7 9-5 (D2)........... S Drowne ROUNDABOUT MAGIC (43) S Dow 3 9-5 (D3) ......... N Mackay SPIN TOP (15) W Muir 3 9-3 (D) ................................ F Norton RED STRIPES (30) Mrs L Williamson 5 9-3 (CD3) ...... D Probert FRANK THE BARBER (17) Steph Hollinshead 5 8-10 (D3) ... L Morris FIRESNAKE (17) Mrs L Williamson 4 8-9 (C2) ...... G Malune (7) BETTING: 4 Entertaining Ben, 5 Spin Top, First Bombardment, 13-2 Roundabout Magic, 7 Frank The Barber, Red Stripes, 12 Shackled N Drawn, 14 Pearl Acclaim, Firesnake, 16 Others. SCAMMONDEN racer Daniel Lloyd is looking to end his maiden TCR campaign on a high in Dubai.
Lloyd has his sights set on a podium result this weekend as the TCR International Series heads to the revered Dubai Autodrome for its 2017 season finale.
The 25-year-old faces fierce competition on the 2.23 mile circuit with a bumper entry of 21 TCR machines confirmed for the season closer.
Triple-BTCC champion Gordon Shedden is set to make his TCR debut, lining up alongside touring car legends Gabriele Tarquini and Alain Menu, with TCR Germany champion Josh Files also joining the grid for the final meeting of the year.
Lloyd’s maiden season in the TCR has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, after joining the Lukoil Craft-Bamboo Racing squad at the mid-way point in Austria, he has secured five points finishes from 10 races.
Sadly, contact and technical issues ruled him out of contention in Hungary and most recently China, and Lloyd is eager to rekindle his form and add to his single podium tally this weekend.
“I’m hopeful of a strong end to the season,” said Lloyd.
“We’ve had a mixed bag of results really which has been frustrating at times, but our pace has been pretty consistent and we’ve shown that we can challenge the front-runners.
“This is the first time that the TCR has visited the Dubai Autodrome so that should hopefully level the playing field for us this weekend.
“If we can avoid picking up any damage then I feel sure we can be pushing for a podium spot.”
Having only contested half of the season, Lloyd is out of the running for the drivers’ trophy – however his Lukoil Craft-Bamboo Racing team still has an outside chance of claiming the Teams’ title, but it will be a tall order with a 69 point deficit to current leaders M1RA.
“We’ve got a huge task ahead of us this weekend;” added Lloyd.
“Theoretically we’re still within a shot of the title but it’s almost out of our hands.
“All we can do is try to score as many points as possible for the team and see where M1RA ends up. Realistically the title is theirs to lose now.”
“It’s been great working with the Lukoil Craft-Bamboo guys again this year.
“They’ve given me a fantastic car and are such a professional group of guys, it would be mega to get them the result they deserve this weekend and to end the season with a podium or win.”
Tomorrow sees the action get underway with free practice sessions at 09.30-11.50am local time (GMT+4) with qualifying scheduled for 3.30pm (13.30 UK time).
Saturday plays host to the final two, 17-lap races of the season at 11.05am (07.05 UK time) and 3.30pm (13.30 UK time) with live streaming and timing of all sessions and the races available via the TCR website: www.tcr-series. com and www.tcr-series.tv