SV Racing is set to continue its title push in the North East, as the Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup and Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup reach mid-season at Croft Circuit this weekend (28-29 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 contrast a tight, technical Complex and final Hairpin.
The North Yorkshire track, situated near Darlington, celebrates its half-Century in 2014 and hosts the UK Clio Cup and Ginetta GT Supercup as part of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s (BTCC) illustrious support package.
Bristol-based UK Clio Cup leader, Josh Cook, continued a phenomenally consistent run of race wins and podium finishes to extend his points advantage over James Colburn in the overall Drivers’ standings at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit three weeks ago.
There are 32 points separating the KX Akademy racer and his main title foe Colburn as Britain’s premier one-make saloon car championship heads North East to Croft Circuit, and Cook is glad to be the chased rather than the chaser at this stage of the season.
“I came away from Oulton Park a bit disappointed because I didn’t get the result I wanted in race two despite having the pace, but that gives me more drive going to Croft,” said Cook. “I don’t want to think too much about the championship at this point, but I’ll keep one eye on the points throughout the weekend and look to add to my tally of seven podium finishes from eight races. The important thing is, I’m not feeling any pressure at all and that’s primarily because of the hard work SV Racing puts in to consistently delivering a strong car that fills me with confidence in the races. Two wins to extend my championship lead would be ideal, but I’d be happy with a pair of solid points finishes.”
Lichfield’s Ant Whorton-Eales kept his title hopes alive in Round 8 at Oulton Park by beating teammate Cook to second place and achieving his first podium finish since the third race of the year at his home circuit of Donington Park in April.
Now fifth and the third-best SV Racing with KX driver in the UK Clio Cup standings, Whorton-Eales sits directly behind teammate Alex Morgan, while Nuneaton’s Ash Hand continues to be blighted by misfortune in the form of mechanical maladies and on-track incidents, and lies down in tenth on the overall points table as a consequence.
Elsewhere, the opening half of the 2014 Ginetta GT Supercup season has been something of a tour de force for Letchworth Garden City’s David Pittard, who has exceeded even his own expectations, establishing himself as a very real title prospect by regularly defeating his vastly more experienced opposition.
However, Pittard heads into unchartered territory this weekend and reckons it might be a case of damage limitation while he adapts to Croft’s varied demands.
“I’ve never been to Croft before so it’s a step into the unknown, but one of my strongest abilities is adapting really quickly, therefore I hope to be there or thereabouts on old tyres come the end of the first day,” said Pittard. “I’ve completed a fair few laps on a simulator and should benefit from the experience of those around me, including Rob Boston and Danny Buxton. From what I’ve seen, it seems to have quite a complex first and last sector and a relatively fast middle sector, so it will take some learning.
“Again, my main aim is to score three solid points finishes, although I’ll be disappointed to leave the North East having not achieved a podium finish. I’m pretty confident and believe I’m in capable hands, and I fully expect to be at the pointy end of the grid. Maybe it will be all about damage limitation, but 2014 was supposed to be mine and SV Racing’s learning year and we’ve already pretty much torn up the form book.”
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