SV Racing’s Sam Randon achieved a podium finish on his debut in the 2014 Michelin Clio Cup ‘Race Series’, while James Dorlin swept all before him in the opening round of theJunior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) at Rockingham Motor Speedway (5-6 April).
Both Randon and Norwegian teammate, Tommy Østgaard, graduated to the ‘Racecar’ division of the burgeoning Clio Cup Series having made an impression on SVR Director, Danny Buxton, in the ‘Roadcar’ class in 2013.
While budgetary constraints curtailed the drivers’ pre-season preparations, the leading SVR team had faith in its line-up and was hopeful of a strong weekend at the Corby-based Rockinghamcircuit.
Østgaard, aged 20 from Oslo, rounded out the top six places in qualifying, while Randon recorded the 11th fastest time on Rockingham’s 1.94mile International Super Sportscar circuit on Saturday (5 April).
Both were eager to make an impact in a championship that has rapidly established itself as one of the most competitive one-make arenas in UK motorsport and duly overcame their pre-qualifying jitters and inexperience on fresh Michelin rubber to mix it at the sharp end in Sunday’s first race (6 April).
Drama unfolded as the field converged on the Deene Hairpin for the first time and a collision at Yentwood eliminated two of SVR’s chief rivals, although Randon stayed well out of harm’s way and utilised a superb start to shoot from 11th to third on the opening lap.
A brief Safety Car intervention while wreckages and debris were cleared from the crash sites closed-up the pack, but Randon held position when racing resumed to achieve his maiden podium finish on his ‘Race Series’ debut.
Unfortunately, Randon was prevented from replicating the result in Round 2 when a chain of collisions sent him into a spin and tumbling down the order on lap one.
However, the Ashbourne-domiciled racer clawed his way to ninth with a damaged rear-end and subsequently lies third in the championship standings.
Østgaard, meanwhile, raced to second place in Round 1, only for an unforeseen tyre irregularity to cost him the result, and then recovered admirably from a sluggish start to Round 2, slicing his way from the tail of the field to finish in a respectable seventh place at the conclusion of the 12-lap race.
Randon said: “I had an incredible start to Round 1, which I pre-planned with Danny (Buxton). It worked a treat and was just as effective in race two, when a small tap from behind at the Deene Hairpin spun me out and ultimately finished my race. Despite that, I have to be happy with my points total from the weekend.
“I knew qualifying was going to be a challenge, having never driven on new tyres before, but I’ve always been a good starter and was confident of getting off the line well. I’m so grateful to all of my sponsors, Airglide Ultimate, Twincentric Integration, Evolve Automotive and Ca$hbrokers, for making my entry in the Michelin Clio Cup Series possible and to Danny and the SVR team for the support and quality coaching.”
Barnsley’s James Dorlin utterly dominated proceedings in the opening round of the Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) at Rockingham Motor Speedway (5-6 April).
The 15-year old recently stepped on to the first rung of SVR’s ‘stairway of talent’ and is being mentored by former Clio Cup Champion and British Touring Car racer, Danny Buxton, while Howard Hunt is responsible for his on-track coaching.
Dorlin set the pace in free practice and comfortably took his Citroen Saxo VTR to pole position for both races with almost half a second in hand over his nearest challengers, Charlie Kennedy and Tom Stockton.
In a stunning display, Dorlin raced to an untroubled victory in the weekend’s opening JSCC encounter and crossed the line a full 12 seconds ahead of the pack in Round 2, having lost the early initiative to the talented Stockton.
Dorlin said: “I think I spent most of today at school staring out of the window in a daze, thinking about taking the chequered flag at Rockingham. It feels like a dream because, while I knew I had a chance of victory, I didn’t have a measure of the competition with so many new drivers who have strong backgrounds entering the series. You never know how things are going to pan out!
“I performed better than I expected against some talented people and at a track I’ve never raced on before, so I’m really happy! In a one-make championship like the JSCC, you just have to get your head down and get on with it. The car was set up well and a lot of preparation went into it so I’m pleased to reward everybody involved with such amazing results.”
SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, said: “I’m so pleased with the way things panned out in the opening round of the 2014 Michelin Clio Cup Series and JSCC at Rockingham and the way SVR’s drivers performed throughout. I’d say the team’s fortunes fluctuated in the Clio Cup Series, but Sam (Randon) followed my instructions perfectly to get stunning starts in both races and achieve a fantastic maiden podium finish – that came earlier than I anticipated, given his lack of time in the car compared to his competitors.
“Tommy (Østgaard) didn’t get away so well in Round 2 but his pace was unquestionable and he’ll undoubtedly be standing on the top step of the podium before long. He and Sam were both nervous and Tommy just needs to work on his qualifying and race starts.
Buxton continued: “My young protégée, James (Dorlin), was rapid from the outset of the weekend and was in a class of one during qualifying and the races. It was a fairly straightforward outing from my point of view and, while he was challenged by another young talent, Tom Stockton, in Round 2, he cantered to the win in the first race.
“There are obviously still bits to improve on – he’s not there just yet. But he is a genuine talent and will go far if he keeps on pushing. For Howard (Hunt) and I, it was a proud moment to see him dominate and reap the rewards of the hard work.”
For more information on SV Racing, please visit the new www.svracing.co.uk website, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter.