Podium finishes are the target for SV Racing when the 2014 Michelin Clio Cup Series and Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) resume on the globally-renowned Brands Hatch Indy circuit this weekend (26-27 July).
Following a prolonged summer break, the Cheshire-based SVR outfit will be looking to build on a positive start to its 2014 Clio Cup Series and JSCC campaigns at Brands Hatch, a much-loved motorsport amphitheatre that combines fearsome corners, dips and cambers, and provides unrivalled views of the on-track action from various vantage points.
Currently fifth in the championship standings, Ashbourne’s Sam Randon has a natural affinity for Brands Hatch and will be looking to replicate the sort of success he had there last season when he raced to impressive back-to-back victories in the ‘Roadcar Series’.
“The 2014 season has been a bit of rollercoaster,” said Randon. “I had a very good opening weekend at Rockingham, but a not so great weekend at Oulton due to lack of experience. Then Donington Park arrived, which put me in a very positive mood, as there was a lot of home support and I was able to produce some great racing. Overall, I can’t complain with how my season has gone and I hope I can continue improve during the latter half of the year.
“I’m definitely confident about this weekend having ‘done the double’ at Brands Hatch in 2013. Although I’m driving a different car this year, I tested the race-spec Clio at the circuit and was very quick, which fills me with optimism. It’s one of my favourite tracks, as I have always been strong there. With it being such a short circuit, it’s important to not only be quick, but also consistent. I’ll be aiming for a double podium and some close racing at the top, but we’ll have to wait and see how everything pans out.”
James Dorlin has established himself as a dominant force in the opening four rounds of the JSCC and leads the championship standings by over 20 points after achieving a sensational ‘Triple Crown’ – pole position and two race wins – at Donington Park in June.
Dorlin, 15, has stood on the podium in all but one race this season and will be looking to extend that trend when the series resumes at Brands Hatch after a seven-week summer break.
“Having been at the top of the standings since the first meeting, it puts a lot of pressure on me to perform during each weekend, but I can handle it,” said Dorlin. “I go all out for the win at every event, and this weekend will be no different. Having won five of the eight races this season, I will be looking to maintain that streak at a circuit that is special to me, as it is where I won my first ever car race.
“I’ve been going over a lot of in-car footage since the last meeting, but also had a couple of weeks off to regroup and re-focus my mind. SVR and I have made a few changes to the car to resolve a slight power issue I suffered with at Oulton Park, but we won’t know if they are positive until testing begins at Brands Hatch on Friday.”
Competing alongside Dorlin in the JSCC is 15-year old hotshot Tom Stockton, who has also been a regular feature on the podium in 2014.
Sitting fifth in the championship standings, Stockton recently secured the backing of WIX Filters, which sponsors Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) ace Adam Morgan, and, while his short-term ambition is to win the 2014 JSCC title, he hopes the brand association will help further his career in the long-term too.
“Having such a big company as WIX Filters as a sponsor gives me big confidence boost for this weekend, but at the same time I have to get the job done out on track,” said Stockton. “Brands Hatch is one of my favourite circuits as its fast flowing nature requires your full attention. I have raced there on several occasions in the past, which will hopefully give me an edge over the rest of the field. I am desperate to finish inside the top three and hope to take at least one race win, but we will have to see what the weekend brings.”
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).
In the Junior Saloon Car Championship, qualifying is scheduled to start at 12.10 on Saturday, followed by Round 9 at 16.20. Round 10 will start at 12.15 on Sunday.