Front-running Renault UK Clio Cup racer Dan Holland is to return to the championship for his first full season in the category next year it is confirmed today, Friday, 28th November, after agreeing a deal with JamSport to partner series rookie George Jackson.
Dagenham 27-year-old Holland, who contested the final four races of the 2014 season and achieved a fantastic top four finish during the last round at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, has purchased his own fourth generation Renault Clio as he makes a full-time graduation into the championship.
“I’m definitely aiming for the podium next season, you don’t go out there to make the numbers up that’s for sure”, said Holland, “I struggled a bit with the braking in the Clio initially, but with last week’s first winter test I’ve now mastered the issues I was having.
“With a bit more practice, and we are doing quite a bit of testing alongside new team-mate George [Jackson], I’m sure we’ll be right up there. I had some great backing from Direct Metals, Acumen Technical, MAP Concreting, Bilstein Suspension, 3jdriveline and JamSport for the last 2014 races so, hopefully, they’ll be with me all through 2015. We just need to get some more budget in before the start of the season.”
After years of success in Senior Rotax karting, where he was British Vice-Champion in 2008, Holland had to step away from competitive motorsport in 2011 and 2012 due to financial difficulties. Able to make the move into car racing in 2013, the Essex driver – who is an electrician by trade – debuted in the Fiesta ST Championship where he became a double race winner.
Ending the season sixth overall in the points standings, Holland went on to finish third in Class C this year with four race victories. Dovetailing the latter part of the ST season with his outings in the Renault UK Clio Cup, Holland made an incredibly impressive debut on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship package and will almost certainly be a front-runner from the off in 2015.
“We’re absolutely delighted Dan is returning to the Clio Cup with us, he’s a top quality driver”, said JamSport team principal Sam Cotton, “In Fiestas he won multiple races and to come into the Clio Cup at the end of last season and run within a couple of tenths of the front-runners proves he’s got what it takes at this level.
“Dan and George [Jackson] work really well together and the plan now is to get as much testing done before the weather gets too bad. We think we’ve got a fantastic line-up with Dan and George together, and we’re still working on getting more cars on the grid too. It’s fantastic for JamSport to have two deals done already, we’re over the moon.”
Holland’s return to the Renault UK Clio Cup is the latest in a string of announcements from drivers and teams plotting 2015 campaigns in the ever-popular ‘tin top’ series, something Championship Manager Will Fewkes is delighted to see.
“It really is fantastic to see so many positive announcements flowing through and we’re obviously thrilled to see Dan [Holland] returning to the championship”, said Fewkes, “He more than proved his ability in the few races he did with us at the end of last season, finishing in the top four during the season finale against true top quality opposition was very impressive.
“We’re delighted to see JamSport following up its deal with George Jackson so quickly, the team was a very welcome addition to the Clio Cup grid this year and it sounds as though the hard work is still ongoing to try and attract a third, and maybe even fourth, driver. We wish them the best of luck.”
The Renault UK Clio Cup is supported by ELF, Performance Friction, WP Racing and official tyre supplier Dunlop.
Official website: www.renaultsport.co.uk/championships/cliocup built by RACECAR
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Twitter: @UKClioCup
Full results and timings available at www.tsl-timing.com
