Wiltshire-based racing driver, Ollie Pidgley, is in the process of assessing his options for the next phase of his motorsport career in one of the UK’s most competitive and fiercely-contested championships, the Renault UK Clio Cup.
The UK Clio Cup is Britain’s premier one-make saloon car series and it benefits from high levels of exposure with a prominent position on the illustrious support bill for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Drivers utilize the UK Clio Cup’s cut and thrust style of racing to hone their craft in preparation for careers in touring cars, while also delighting trackside spectators and viewers of ITV Sport’s comprehensive live television coverage with door handle-to-door handle, bumper-to-bumper action.
The championship still stands as the most effective springboard into British Touring Cars and Pidgley from Downton, Salisbury is looking to follow in the wheel tracks of Mike Bushell, Josh Cook, Sam Tordoff and the like into the BTCC with professional management and coaching from former Clio Cup Champion and team owner, Danny Buxton, and promotional and marketing support from BAM Motorsport Promotions.
“The past year has been positive because it has given me a whole new skill set and testing has gone so well that we’re ahead of schedule in many respects, which gives me more time to focus on the finer details of my driving during the build-up to the 2016 season,” said Pidgley. “If the season was to start now, I would be satisfied that I’m in a position to be competitive from the off and hit the ground running. I’m looking forward to taking this next step with support and guidance from Danny.”
Since pedaling his tractor around a self-constructed track in his parents’ garden at the tender age of three, Pidgley’s passion for victory and a natural flair behind the wheel saw him rapidly ascend the karting ranks and graduate to cars just days after his 16th birthday.
The 2010 Forest Edge Kart Club title was a precursor to campaigns in the high profile Super 1 and FKS championships, where household names like Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Jason Plato all laid foundations for success.
Pidgley followed a five-year karting career with positive outings in the MSA Formula single-seater championship and Michelin Clio Cup Series and, with Buxton’s insight and guidance, the Salisbury-domiciled teenager has developed into a well-rounded racing driver with a great deal of potential.
“Ollie (Pidgley) is embarking on a completely new chapter and I can’t think of any reason why he can’t lead the way in the 2016 Renault UK Clio Cup,” said Buxton. “From what we’ve seen in testing, his performances have been very impressive and, after some more hard work and preparation during the winter months, he is sure to turn quite a few heads come the start of the season. The hard work we put in together will undoubtedly pay dividends and we’re at the stage where we have a deep understanding of one another. It’s absolutely fantastic to be involved with Ollie’s career development and I’m looking forward to putting my stamp on it.”