The team travelled down to Norfolk last Thursday for the penultimate weekend of Michelin Clio Cup Series action. On Thursday evening John was out on track receiving tuition from Josh Files the 2013 Clio Cup UK & Eurocup Clio Championship Winner. Josh took the wheel for the sighting laps behind the pace car at the start of the evening to demonstrate the lines around the circuit. Amusingly whilst showing how close to get to the plastic markers on the apex of the corners the double reigning champion managed to clip one and removed the glass from one of the wing mirrors. Friday practise was completed with a mirror missing whilst a replacement glass was ordered and delivered to the circuit on Saturday morning by one of the team.
The tuition proved valuable and on Saturday morning John qualified 3rd in class ahead of the televised race. The team worked hard over the weekend and ran a competition to win a set of Alloygators as well as handing out sweets and toys with the help of the Alloygator mascot who proved popular all weekend!
The series decided to do a staggered start and Motors TV showed the Race class leaving on the lights, with the Road class started with a flag after a small delay. The cameras picked up John still holding third place just in time to show Nic Harrison making a very late dive up the inside on the second lap, spinning John's car and leaving him dead last and seven seconds adrift of the pair battling for 3rd and 4th. On initial inspection we think this impact has bent the rear axle. Then was the start of an impressive recovery drive closing the gap by lap three. With Harrison & Franklin battling for third John followed close behind and waited for a mistake on which to capitalise. On lap four the pair ran slightly wide and John made the most of the gap to retake third place.
Certainly an impressive way to claim a first road series podium, a class win and to do it on live television!
Unfortunately race two on Sunday was no fairytale. A gamble with a set up change didn't pay off and the Clio was very unstable in the corners. As the car lost grip and got loose in the third corner it was collected by Jake Honour before John had time to recover. Ironically it was a spinning Jake that John collected at Donington and the Paint Perfect team then painted his new shell. Honour immediately retired with a puncture and on reflection admitted he should have carried on to the pits. John remembering his experience from Donington carried on and tried to get back to the pits. On the next corner the car refused to turn due to a broken steering knuckle and was retired. John remains upbeat about the incident posting the following on social media after the race "As they say that's racing and its all part and parcel of the roller coaster ride which is motorsport !!! So onwards and upwards!! A massive thank you as always to my sponsors Alloygator ,World on a tripod, FisherMotorFactors , Allwoods, Living Woods Lincoln, as well my family and friends who constantly support me and the team .
Also a big thanks to Mark Waby of MWT Automotive Services LTD for giving me such a great car and Paul Streather-Motorsport for all your support."
The last two rounds take place on the 20th & 21st of September at Croft Circuit. If you would like to attend please contact the office on 01522 568 247 so we can arrange hospitality tickets.
We will also be attending Total Kit Car Live at Brands Hatch, so if you would like to experience a passenger ride in the car make a note in your diary for November 15th
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