SV Racing (SVR) heads to Donington Park on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border in search of more podium glory in the Renault UK Clio Cup’s ‘triple-header’ (17-19 April).
Abandoned at Brands Hatch over Easter weekend due to a serious incident involving multiple cars, Round 1 of the UK Clio Cup will now take place on Saturday (18 April), meaning the Donington Park event will become a ‘triple-header’, with Rounds 3 and 4 taking place the following day on Sunday (19 April).
Lichfield’s Ant Whorton-Eales stamped his authority on the season by battling his way to the top step of the winners’ rostrum at Brands Hatch and he arrives at his home circuit with the aim of replicating that success.
The 20-year old he recorded a podium finish as part of a phenomenal SVR one-two-three-four finish on his most recent outing at Donington Park in 2014 and is riding on a wave of confidence after concluding the championship’s official test at Thruxton – the fastest circuit on the calendar – in third, behind Brands Hatch race protagonist Ashley Sutton.
Reigning Ginetta Junior Champion Jack Mitchell, who celebrated his 17th birthday recently, endured a difficult UK Clio Cup baptism at Brands Hatch and will be hoping for stronger results this weekend after testing extensively on the 1.96mile National Circuit during the winter months, notably matching the pole position time from last year’s round.
While all eyes were focused on Whorton-Eales and Sutton’s race for the flag, there was high drama behind in the Masters’ Cup involving SVR’s Ben Seyfried, who was on course to take top honours, before contact with teammate Mitchell saw silverware slip from his grasp.
Disappointed not to have finished on the podium on his UK Clio Cup debut, experienced club racer Seyfried is expecting to once again challenge for Masters’ Cup glory, while fighting for a strong points finish to aid the SV Racing’s defence of the Teams’ title.
SVR Director, Danny Buxton, said: “Donington Park has been kind to me in the past, having recorded a one-two-three-four last year, so if we come away with more podiums this weekend, it will certainly tick some boxes.
“Both Ben (Seyfried) and Jack (Mitchell) were very impressive at Brands Hatch. If Ben can replicate or better his qualifying position of fourth this weekend, he will certainly push towards the front and, if Jack can translate his strong test pace into race pace, we should be very strong.”
Qualifying on Saturday (18 April) morning at 12.10 will determine the starting grid for Rounds 3 and 4, with rescheduled Round 1 being held later that day at 17.30. Sunday’s (19 April) two races are scheduled to get underway at 10.05 and 15.10 and will be broadcast live and in high definition on ITV4 and ITV4HD.
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.