After securing the Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup Teams’ Championship, SV Racing is delighted to welcome the arrival of Paul Donkin to its ranks for the championship’s final round on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit (11-12 October).
Donkin, CEO of one of Donkin Group’s three offshoot companies, DRS Facilities Management – a highly experienced company specialising in all forms of industrial roofing and cladding repairs, maintenance and modification works on commercial buildings throughout the UK – was a latecomer to motorsport, but hit the ground running in the Atom Cup UK last season, where he consistently finished inside the top five, as well as scoring numerous class victories.
In a one-off appearance in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at North Yorkshire’s Croft Circuit earlier this season, Donkin immediately made an impact by translating two class pole positions into back-to-back lights-to-flag victories to round off a remarkable debut.
Having already shown many of the necessary skills to compete in the highest echelons of motorsport, Donkin, based in County Durham, will pilot a sixth SVR-prepared fourth-generation Clio at Brands Hatch (11-12 October) as he assesses his options for next year.
“I’ve never drivem a front-wheel-drive car on track or in a race situation, so it will be a steep learning curve, but a great weekend nonetheless,” said Donkin. “I know Danny (Buxton) really well and he hasn’t put any pressure on me, so I’ll simply go out there and have some fun. I raced on the Brands Hatch GP configuration earlier this year in the Atom Cup and went on to win, so fingers crossed I can get a good result in the Clios, but I will be up against some very talented guys.
“My Dad and I have always been passionate fans of motorsport, but never had the opportunity to go racing until last year when I stepped into the Atom Cup. I then dropped a round at Cadwell Park to contest a one-off round in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at my home circuit, Croft. It has always been a dream since day one to compete in Porsches, and with SVR and Danny giving me a great opportunity to race in the Clios on the TOCA package, that dream still very much remains alive.”
Having made his UK Clio Cup debut at Rockingham last month, Simon Horrobin returns to the SVR fold to contest the series’ final round at his home circuit following a highly positive debut at Rockingham last month.
Horrobin, aged 48 from Kent, took a sabbatical from motor racing while recovering from serious injuries, but made a triumphant return in the Ford Fiesta Championship in 2013, where he scored numerous podiums on his way to being crowned Masters Champion.
Running door handle-to-door handle with some of the more experienced drivers on the grid last time out, Horrobin will be looking to better that success on Brand Hatch’s 2.44mile Grand Prix layout.
SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, said: “I’ve known Paul for a while now and he is a really, really enthusiastic and talented driver for someone who has only been racing for what seems like a matter of minutes. He has had a few good wins in the Atom Cup and, as such, his UK Clio Cup outing is all very much for fun. However, his performance at Croft was exceptional considering his lack of experience. As an existing friend, I’m really looking forward to working together for the first and I’m sure he will acquit himself extremely well. IHowever, I’m placing no expectations on him at all and, while it’s a bit of fun, he will take it seriously and prepare himself in the right way.”
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).
For more information on SV Racing, please visit the www.svracing.co.uk website, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter and Instagram.