Thruxton rounds 5 and 6 of the Air Asia Renault Clio Cup

Paul had a varied weekend at a sunny Thruxton scoring a 12th place in the first race after a mid race puncture then coming from 4th on the grid in race 2 to take a hard fought 2nd place after a race long battle with the winner Aron Smith.

Paul qualified 4th for the first race. He did not make the best of starts and ended up 6th by the complex. Up until his puncture he was involved in a battle for fifth place and was ever improving looking to push up the order. Paul managed to get the car back to the pits for the Stancombe Vehicle Engineering team to change the tyre and get Paul back out so he could still score some valuable points in his quest for his third championship.

Paul commented: “It was very unfortunate to pick up the puncture. Thruxton is always very hard on tyres and because of that we have suffered but we are still in the lead of the championship and we have to look to the future races not dwell on the past.“

In the second race (round 6) Paul managed to get a good start and was up to 2nd place by the complex.

After a brief safety car period to recover Matt Allisons car Paul set off in trying to reel in the leader Aron Smith. Time after time Paul go side by side with the Irish racer but was unable to find a way past. At one point Paul slipped back and was passed by Jack Goff only for Paul to hang on round the outside of the fastest corner in British motorsport (church) to retake 2nd place.

On the final lap Paul tried a move into the chicane but after a little touch Paul had to cut the chicane so settled for 2nd place and an extended lead in the title race.

After the race Paul commented... "What a great race! I had a very good start and managed to get 2nd by the complex. I tried to find a way past Aron but he was faultless. I did have a look for a way around the outside, but ended up losing position to Jack. I could see that Adam was right with him, and there was no way I was going to lose two places so I kept alongside Jack and went around the outside through Church – the fastest race corner in the UK. It doesn’t get much better than that! I tried for a move into the chicane on the last lap but we had a small touch so I backed off and settled for 2nd and another fastest lap. What a great race and we have increased the lead of the championship."

 

The next round of the AirAsia Clio Cup is on 4/5th June at Oulton Park.