SV Racing (SVR) remains on the cusp of title glory as the Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup and Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup draw to a conclusion at Kent’s globally renowed Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit (11-12 October).
Fresh from winning the UK Clio Cup Teams’ Championship at Rockingham Motor Speedway last month, the leading SV Racing team heads to Brands Hatch in the South East of England with the intention of helping its drivers to the top of their respective championship leaderboards.
Having amassed two pole positions, six podium finishes and five race wins in the first 16 rounds of the 2014 UK Clio Cup season, Bristol’s Josh Cook remains SV Racing’s best hope of lifting the Drivers’ crown.
The KX Akademy scholar lost his grip on the top of the standings during a disappointing and frustrating weekend at Rockingham, but has previous form on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit having won there in 2013 and is fresh from an outing as part of SV Racing’s Ginetta GT4 Supercup arm at Silverstone a fortnight ago, used to explore his options for 2015 and keep him fresh and focused for the forthcoming UK Clio Cup title showdown.
Taking dropped-scores into account, Cook is 28 points adrift of the championship lead but is confident he can overturn his deficit to chief title rival Mike Bushell ‘down the Hatch’, saying: “Following my outing in the Ginetta, it has really cleared my head and now I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the Clio and chase some wins. Considering we had no pre-season testing and put together a last-minute programme, I’m very proud of what we have achieved this season.
“I will be going out there as if it was any other weekend. I’ve had lots of feedback this year and I came out on top the last time Mike Bushell and I went head-to-head at Brands Hatch, which gives me some confidence, but I can’t focus on that and instead must focus on collecting two wins. Whatever happens after that, happens.”
Cook and his fellow KX Akademy recruits, Ant Whorton-Eales, Alex Morgan and Ash Hand, will be joined by UK Clio Cup debutant, Paul Donkin – a relative latecomer to motorsport who is assessing his options for 2015 – and the returning Simon Horrobin
Following a highly positive maiden appearance in Britain’s premier one-make saloon car championship at Rockingham, the Rochester, Kent-domiciled racer is eager to return to the SVR fold for the crucial series’ finale at his home Brands Hatch circuit.
“I have never raced on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix layout before, so it will be a very new experience for me,” said Horrobin. “After Rockingham, we’re no longer going into the weekend blind. With the ambience of the TOCA package and a new car, it was a lot to take in, so now we can put that to one side, relax and concentrate on the racing. The aim will be to fight among the more experienced drivers and make our way up the leaderboard, but I’m generally interested in just gaining more experience before attacking the series properly next year.”
Boosting his title charge with a maximum points score at Silverstone, David Pittard is brimming with confidence heading into the pivotal final round of the Michelin-backed Ginetta GT4 Supercup, where he will be partnered by Liverpool-based hotshot, Declan Jones.
Promoting himself to third in the standings by translating pole positions into two race wins at ‘The Home of British Motorsport’, Pittard – backed by the Saxon Gate Motorist Centre – will be looking to consolidate his position in the championship and finish a season that has exceeded all expectations on a high.
“Since the summer-break, we’ve qualified on the front row at each event, and that will be my aim for this weekend, as it will give me the best chance of finishing second in the Drivers’ standings,” said Pittard. “The points deficit to Carl Breeze in second place seems massive, but, as we’ve seen already this year, that gap can quickly vanish. It’s such a close championship and it’s not over until the chequered flag waves on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s great to have a driver like Declan (Jones) alongside me and it’s a fantastic testament to Danny (Buxton) and the SV Racing team, who have put together such a great and successful package. Declan is a great driver and I think we can learn a lot from each other. Like with Josh (Cook) at Silverstone, I’m hoping he can take some points away from my rivals and boost my chances.”
Qualifying for Rounds 17 and 18 of the Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup is scheduled to get underway at 11.20 on Saturday (11 October) and will be followed by the first of the weekend’s two races at 16.15, with the second encounter at 13.30 on Sunday (12 October).
Qualifying for the final two rounds of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup is due to get underway at 09.00 on Saturday (11 October). Rounds 25 and 26 will follow at 15.00 and 17.30 on the same day, before Round 27 begins at 15.02 on Sunday (12 October).
For more information on SV Racing, please visit the www.svracing.co.ukwebsite, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter andInstagram.