Adam Hatfield will make his Michelin Clio Cup Race Series debut at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy circuit this weekend (26-27 July) after securing an 11th hour deal with SV Racing.
Following Tommy Østgaard’s withdrawal from this weekend’s event, Hugh J Boswell Insurance-backed Hatfield will make his Michelin Clio Cup debut at the globally renowned Brands Hatch alongside Sam Randon and is relishing the prospect of racing a 2.0-litre normally aspirated third generation Clio.
Starting his racing career in Karting at the age of 10 and enjoying five highly successful years, Hatfield made the switch to cars in the SAXMAX Junior Touring Car Championship (JTCC), where he competed under the SVR umbrella during the latter half of the 2013 season.
As part of SVR’s ‘stairway to talent’ programme, 16-year old Hatfield has gone from strength-to-strength and will be looking to gain valuable experience at this weekend’s event.
“Originally the plan was to run a full year’s testing ahead of a full assault next season, so to be racing this weekend is really exciting,” said RTM Fencing sponsored Hatfield. “I’ve had six days worth of testing so far this year and feel very comfortable in the car. The SVR team and I tested at Brands Hatch earlier in the year, and it’s a circuit I enjoy as its fast nature provides an exciting challenge.
“I’ve had a lot of tutoring from both Danny (Buxton) and several of the UK Clio Cup drivers, so I’m feeling really good ahead of this weekend. I don’t have any high expectations, but it would be good to racing within the mix of everyone to gain some valuable experience.”
SV Racing Team Principal, Danny Buxton, said: “The decision to race Adam (Hatfield) at Brands Hatch this weekend was based on the last few highly successful test days he has undertaken with us. His development rate for someone so young has been very impressive, and by dipping his toe into a racing environment will further that. At just 16-years old, he needs the discipline of a race weekend, which is good for young people to experience every now-and-again as the competition element pushes them forward.
“I’m really excited about this weekend, and no matter what happens, it will be a great learning curve for him.”
Michelin Clio Cup Race Series qualifying starts at 10.35 on Saturday (26 July), with Round 7 getting underway at 15.45 that same day and Round 8 at 15.00 on Sunday (27 July).