Vaulkhard targets maiden victory

Vaulkhard gave the Tempus Chevrolet squad its first front-row slot in only the team's third BTCC event, missing pole position by just 0.015s, and also out-qualifying the RML-run cars of Jason Plato and Mat Jackson.

When asked if a win was possible, Vaulkhard told AUTOSPORT: "I'd like to think so. We certainly have the pace to do it, as we've shown today - and it's pace we've achieved despite having not done anything like as much testing as the Vauxhalls or the Dynamics cars, for example.

"If we can maintain the pace we've shown so far and just stay strong, then I don't see why not."

Vaulkhard, whose previous best grid spot was eighth, said that he was not at all phased by starting from the front row for the first time, or by having former champions Plato and James Thompson right behind him.

"To be honest, if I was starting here on a reversed grid, knowing that these guys behind me were much quicker, I'd be worried," he added. "But because I'm here on actual pace, it's not so nerve-wracking.

"All in all it's fantastic, we needed this result for the team. They've given me a fantastic car, [driver coach] Warren Hughes has worked with me on the data, and to get the car where it is, and out-qualify effectively the works team is just brilliant."