Podiums are at the top of SV Racing’s agenda as the Wettenhall-based team heads to Croft Circuit for the fifth rounds of the Renault UK Clio Cup and Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup (27-28 June).
Croft is a charming 2.25mile motorsport venue in the North East of England that encompasses a heady mix of corners to test the mettle of even the most adaptable of drivers, as high-speed, high-adrenaline changes of direction like the Jim Clark Esses and Barcroft are contrasted by a tight, technical Complex and final Hairpin.
The North Yorkshire track, situated near Darlington, takes the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and its supporting categories, including the UK Clio Cup and Ginetta GT4 Supercup, into the summer break
Lichfield’s Whorton-Eales stood firm at the top of the UK Clio Cup Drivers’ standings after converting pole position into a brace of podium finishes at SV Racing’s home circuit, Oulton Park, three weeks ago.
The 21-year old has faced some stiff opposition from the Team Pyro pairing of Ash Hand and Ashley Sutton during the first half of the 2015 season, but has arguably been the class of the field in what is widely regarded as Britain’s premier one-make saloon car championship and the primary feeder series for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Further podiums and race wins will be the target to ensure Whorton-Eales holds the championship initiative at the mid-point of the season and one of the primary objectives for him and his Clio counterparts will be to extract the most from their Dunlop tyres on Croft’s highly abrasive track surface.
Reigning Ginetta Junior Champion, Mitchell, is the youngest driver on the UK Clio Cup grid and the 17-year old remains second in the Graduate Cup points in the wake of some very physical and ruthless on-track battles at Oulton Park.
Mitchell would have benefited from having his racecraft and resilience tested so vigorously by his more experienced rivals at the Cheshire circuit, but the West Kingsdown resident will also have the support of a third SV Racing driver in the North East, as local man Paul Donkin makes a welcome return to the UK Clio Cup under the SV Racing umbrella.
Donkin had his first experience of a front-wheel-drive racecar with SVR during the 2014 season finale at Brands Hatch, but unrepresentative results left the Bishop Auckland racer feels he has “unfinished business” and he said: “I’ve only really raced rear-wheel-drive cars before and my first attempt at the Clio Cup – in a front-wheel-drive car – at Brands Hatch didn’t go to plan. I feel I’ve got some unfinished business – I’ve always wanted to race in the Clio Cup – the cars are dynamite and it’s the best route into the BTCC. I want to do well at Croft, obviously, but the level of competition in the Clio Cup is at a whole new level to what I’m used to and any track knowledge I have will count for little, so we’ll just see how things unfold. Going back to SV Racing was an easy choice as they are such an accommodating bunch of people.”
In the Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Mitchell Hale will be looking for a smoother run than he had at Oulton Park. The unfortunate Bristol-based driver had to recover from the rear of the field in Cheshire, but showed supreme levels of skill by scything his way back into the top ten, so a weekend free of mechanical maladies and mistakes should produce results that are more representative of his ability.
SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, said: “ I’m looking forward to a really strong and positive weekend at Croft Circuit and I’ll be delighted if we can come away with podium finishes in both the Renault UK Clio Cup and Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup and go into the long summer break with some momentum. Ant (Whorton-Eales just needs to concentrate on notching up podiums, as consistency is vital when you’re up against such fierce opposition. Jack (Mitchell) did incredibly well at Oulton Park, qualifying third and fifth, and the fraught on-track battles he had will serve him well during the rest of the season, but I’m also delighted to welcome Paul (Donkin) back to the fold, as he is yet to show his true potential after a tough UK Clio Cup baptism at last year’s finale. Mitchell (Hale), meanwhile, will be suited to Croft, as it’s a ballsy circuit that requires confidence much like Thruxton, where he recorded the fastest lap and surged through the field to fourth. He will be flying this weekend.”
Renault UK Clio Cup qualifying will take place at 11.20 with the first of two races is scheduled for 16.25 on Saturday (27 June), while Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup will begin at 13.40 and the first race of the weekend is due to commence at 17.00 on Saturday (27 June).
All of Sunday’s (28 June) action will be broadcast live and in high definition on ITV4, the GT4 Supercup taking to the track at 13.17 and 17.46 and the UK Clio Cup at 13.52.
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 andInstagram.