Jonathan Fildes begins his 2007 ELF Renault Clio Cup campaign at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit next weekend, 31st March/1st April, knowing consistency will be the determining factor in who becomes the first champion of the new generation Clio series.During his superb title-winning Clio Cup season in 2003, the Co.Meath star won just four of the 18 rounds but his outstanding front-running consistency throughout the course of the year saw him take the crown over 40 points clear of his closest rival. Jonathan’s performances, as part of his first season of competition outside his native Ireland, saw him cement his position as a first class saloon car racer and now, with the advent of the new Clio, the 31-year-old is back with the crack Total Control Racing squad with the sole aim of winning the 2007 championship.“At the moment anyone can say a win is on the cards at Brands Hatch but nobody truly knows where they are until we take part in qualifying”, said the Applied Signs & Display, Asgard Taverns and Barry Evans Plastics-backed star.“Having said that, I am confident and really looking forward to racing a Clio again. We’re all in new, equal machinery and I see no reason why I can’t begin the year with a strong result and get my season off to the best start possible.”While the majority of Jonathan’s rivals have been testing the new generation Clio since its arrival on UK shores in January, his first running only came at Silverstone National Circuit just over three weeks ago during the opening official test of the pre-season.His second outing came at Brands Hatch last week but the day was halted by Renault Sport UK officials after Jonathan’s Clio suffered from an unexplained breakage to the right-front upright after just five laps of testing, pitching the Irishman off the circuit.With concerns surrounding the safety of the new Clio, especially taking into account similar incidents at Silverstone during the previous test, Renault Sport UK imposed a testing ban while investigations took place into the cause of the failures.Series organisers have now confirmed brand new EE Support Brackets, of a revised design to those originally featured on the new Clio, are currently being manufactured and will be available in time for a newly announced test at Rockingham Motor Speedway this coming Monday, 26th March.“I’m fairly confident of doing well at Brands Hatch regardless of the lack of testing compared to most of the other drivers”, added Jonathan, “Obviously, the problem at Brands during the test wasn’t something any of us wanted but Renault did the right thing putting a testing ban in place and hopefully the issue is fully resolved now.“I’m pleased we have an extra test at Rockingham now to try out the new parts and hopefully it will give us an opportunity to work on a set-up for the race there in April.”Prior to his Clio Cup title success in 2003 with the TCR team, Jonathan won a variety of motor racing championships in Ireland including back-to-back RT2000 crowns in 2001 and 2002. After moving into the Porsche Carrera Cup GB in 2004, Jonathan returned to his homeland the following year where he became Dunlop Supercars Champion.

Last season, the garage proprietor returned to the UK after agreeing a deal with TCR to contest the SEAT Cupra Championship but now his sights are firmly set on winning yet another title with a welcome return to the country’s most competitive and action-packed series, the ELF Renault Clio Cup.“Podiums are definitely on at Brands Hatch, there’s no doubt about that”, he said, “You don’t have to go out there and win every race to win a championship, that’s not what it’s all about and I proved that when I won the Clio title in 2003. We’ll be trying very hard to win next weekend but if we make a strong and consistent start to the year, I’ll be happy.”With over 40 drivers expected to contest the 2007 season, series organisers have altered the established format of the Clio Cup meaning competitors will be split into two separate qualifying groups on the Saturday of each race weekend. One qualifying race per group will then be held ahead of the all-important points-scoring encounter the following day. Round one of the 2007 ELF Renault Clio Cup will take place over the weekend of Saturday, 31st March, and Sunday, 1st April, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent as support to the British Touring Car Championship.Cable and satellite subscription channel Setanta Sports will carry live coverage of every round of the ELF Renault Clio Cup this year – please check local listings for details.