Ashbourne’s Sam Randon impressed during his maiden test in a Renault UK Clio Cup car with the leading SV team at Snetterton on Wednesday (30 October).
Randon made his car racing debut in the Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre in 2013, following an encouraging outing in a Formula Renault single-seater and a highly successful karting career.
The 18-year old from the Derbyshire Dales market town of Ashbourne, competed in the Roadcar Series’ class for road-going Clio Renaultsport 197s, achieving numerous class podiums at Brands Hatch, Croft Circuit and Rockingham Motor Speedway before breaking his race wins duck during Brands Hatch’s season finale in September.
His intention is to step up to the ‘Racecar’ division of the Michelin-backed Clio Cup Series in 2014, with the view of progressing to the headlining UK Clio Cup and, ultimately, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Randon – a Maintenance Apprentice for JCB – completed approximately 120 laps of the 2.99mile Snetterton ‘300’ circuit near Thetford, Norfolk on Wednesday (30 October) and showed a great turn of speed with guidance from SV Director, Danny Buxton, and BTCC podium finisher, Jack Goff.
“I’m really happy with the progress I made and I wasn’t expecting to be that close to the pace,” said Randon. “It was a massive step up compared to the road-going Clio I’m used to. I’ve never driven on slick tyres before. The racing Clio Cup car requires a completely different driving style; because it’s so unforgiving, it requires a more precise and progressive touch.
“SV appeared to be happy with my performance and I’m really chuffed with how well I adapted. A lot is down to the advice I received from Danny (Buxton) and Jack (Goff). Now I need a big push for sponsorship to ensure I’m able to do a full campaign in 2014. I have to thank Danny and the SV team, Jack Goff and Robert Sandham from my sponsor, Airglide Ultimate for the opportunity. It hasn’t really sunk in yet!”
SV Director, Danny Buxton, added: “Sam used his test with us to acclimatise to the Clio Cup car before embarking on another full Michelin Clio Cup Series campaign in 2014, this time in the ‘Racecar’ class. He adapted really well and, after completing countless laps during a productive day of testing, ended up just over a second off the fastest lap from this year’s UK Clio Cup round at Snetterton.
“Considering this was his first time driving anything more than a road-car on tyres that had already done more than 80 laps, he showed a great deal of potential. In fact, he far exceeded my expectations for someone in their first taste of Clio Cup machinery.”
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