The BTCC visit to Leicestershire at the weekend included the Renault Clio Cup Donington Park Rounds 2018 as part of the Touring Car support package.
Saturday’s qualifying session was cold and wet, but saw plenty of action on the track, and it was James Dorlin who topped the times from Jack McCarthy, with Bradley Burns in an impressive third place. The second fastest times were even more impressive for Burns, who came top of the table from McCarthy and Dorlin.
The first race of the weekend saw Dorlin’s good weekend continue with a win, ahead of Daniel Rowbottom and McCarthy after James Colburn received a five second time penalty for exceeding track limits. Paul Rivett, who went into the weekend leading the table, spun off on the opening lap into the barrier. Luke Warr, who was debuting in the series this weekend, managed to finish the race, always good for a newcomer to the series.
Clio Cup races are always exciting, but even by Clio Cup standards, the second race of the weekend was one to remember. There was much action through the field, but it was hard to focus on much other than the front, where for much of the race, Dorlin and Burns fought for the win. Burns passed Dorlin three times, and three times Dorlin took the lead back, and it was Dorlin who crossed the finish line first ahead of Burns. Burns may have narrowly missed out on the win, but he did set a new record as the sixteen year old became the youngest ever podium finisher in the Clio Cup. With Dorlin aged nineteen and seventeen year old McCarthy in third place, this was also the Clio Cup’s youngest podium.
Two sixth places for Max Coates has given him the lead in the championship ahead of Rivett, with McCarthy, Dorlin and Burns next.
The series moves to Thruxton in three weeks, in the meantime, here are some photos from Donington.
