SV Racing (SVR) is determined to carry its podium-scoring momentum to the country’s fastest racetrack, Thruxton, this weekend for the third meeting of both the Renault UK Clio Cup and Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup (9-10 May).
Litchfield’s Ant Whorton-Eales has indubitably been the man to beat in the UK Clio Cup so far this season, having notched up a win at Brands Hatch, followed up by another victory and two second places at Donington Park, putting him at the top of the Drivers’ standings with a 22-point lead over main title protagonist, Ashley Sutton. Six of those are bonus points for setting the fastest lap in all three races at Donington Park en route to setting a new lap record around the 1.98mile circuit.
Having set the third fastest time during the championship’s official test at Thruxton last month (7 April), despite running on used tyres, Whorton-Eales is confident that he can continue his winning momentum, but is keeping a level head due to the competitiveness of Britain’s premier one-make series this season.
Showing a great turn of pace at Donington Park, Jack Mitchell has joined teammates Whorton-Eales and Ben Seyfried on the podium on numerous occasions, taking Graduate Cup honours, before going on to finish third overall in the weekend’s third and final race.
The 2014 Ginetta Junior Champion, who concluded official UK Clio Cup testing at Thruxton inside the top five, currently sits fifth in the Drivers’ standings, with just eight points separating him from third position.
SVR had a weekend to forget in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup last time out at Donington Park, mechanical issues denying the team any meaningful running and strong points finishes, and the Cheshire-based outfit will field a sole Ginetta G55 for Mitchell Hale in Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the championship this weekend.
Hale showed a great turn of speed during free practice and qualifying at Donington Park, setting the fifth fastest time. Sadly, an electrical issue ahead of the opening race saw his machine shut down and an ensuing rear-end collision with another G55 brought the Bristol-based driver’s race to a premature end.
Looking to put the troubles of Donington Park behind him, Hale will be seeking a hat-trick of strong results at Thruxton, where nerves of steel are required and victories are hard-fought, with speeds in excess of 140mph through the flat-out Church Corner.
“I feel very comfortable in the car now and I’m looking forward to getting back in and setting a good qualifying time on Saturday morning,” said Hale. “I tested during the championship’s official test day at Thruxton last month, where I learnt a great deal. I have yet to set a quick lap there in the Ginetta and there is still a little more to find, but that will come with track time. I am aiming for a hat-trick of top five finishes this weekend and, with the progress we have been making in terms of performance in the car, it should definitely be achievable.”
SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, said: “If Ant Whorton-Eales can score top-five finishes at Thruxton this weekend and keep up the consistent scoring, that would stand him in great stead in the championship. As for Jack Mitchell, he had such a good outing at Donington Park and was able to run with the front-runners. If he keeps that pace up, he will learn a lot and hopefully come away with two top-five finishes as well.
“Mitchell Hale endured a challenging weekend at Donington Park, but showed amazing pace throughout, and to have qualified fifth is amazing. His car has been rebuilt following the accident, so hopefully he can replicate that pace shown once again, but with no testing prior to qualifying it is straight in at the deep end.”
Qualifying for Rounds 4 and 5 of the Renault UK Clio Cup is scheduled for 11.35 on Saturday (9 May), with the weekend’s two races the following day (10 May) at 11.20 and 15.50 respectively.
Qualifying for the Ginetta GT4 Supercup will get underway at 09.30 on Saturday (9 May), with the weekend’s opening two races at 14.25 and 16.50 the following day, with the final race at 13.45 on Sunday (10 May).
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 and Instagram.