June 20, 2002
Kieran Ryan is optimistic about the European GP.

"I had good feelings coming to the Nurburgring, it's a circuit I've always liked and gone well on but qualifying was a strange affair.

I can't say I'm angry, just surprised at Joe's pace. Well done to him though, and Stealth, but if this was a HR then I'd say 'oh that's their pace' but when it's a car that has the same engine, which we believe is a bit slower then ours, then you're going to get confused! There was shock in our pits. I think the main reason is that I was getting used to having BA Racing cars behind me and MCR's, and I think that was the reason. Everyone else seems to have made big steps towards this grand prix, as have we, but 8th is strange, when I hoped for the first 2 rows.

I had a word with Andy and Andrew of MCR and they said also that they would be going for the 1st 2 rows but we were all grouped together 6-8th. So all in all a surprising session.

I made a small mistake at the last chicance and the coca-cola curve which over all cost me about 2 tenths, but I couldn't have made up a second or anything like that, I think we were all beaten by a very worthy opposition.

I think instead of the usual were at this stage the championship points expand they seem to be closing, new oppostion for the championships are coming out and we have to work even harder for a podium.

Andrew did a good job to qualify 12th in his first race so congrats. to him and Dan who has made a brilliant run in the top 6 and ahead of Antionio who I thought would be mixing it up and the top.

Europe always throws a surprising race so hopefully it will aid me up; as we've seen the car seems better in race conditions and I usually finish ahead of where I qualify but where, we'll see.

There is one positive thing I can take away from qualifying which is that Daan is away, Pedro didn't qualify and Mikko's also away, which leaves me the next nearest to leap frog ahead!"