FOR FIRST TIME IN CAREERELF Renault Clio Cup front-runner Andrew Herron produced by far the most competitive testing performance of his maiden car racing season at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk yesterday, the Northern Ireland racer topping the category timesheets for the first time during the second of the day’s three sessionsHaving proven his undoubted skill in wet conditions at Donington Park National Circuit last weekend during the sixth round of the season, a scintillating drive through the field seeing the 19-year-old gain an incredible 18 positions on merit, he carried the same pace into today to underline yet further his burgeoning talent as a saloon car racer.With session two at Snetterton affected by rainfall, Andrew lapped a quarter of a second faster than anyone for a long period and while a couple of rivals did close the difference as track conditions improved, he still held on to the quickest time with a lap of 1m 27.568 seconds (80.24mph).Although not heading the times in session three, the Brian Herron Contracts-supported ace still produced a stunning performance to end the day with the fifth fastest time overall in dry conditions courtesy of a best lap of 1m 18.497 seconds (89.52mph).Impressively, Andrew’s quickest effort was just four 10ths of a second shy of team-mate Robert Lawson’s test-topping best even though his fellow JHR Developments driver used new tyres while the Dromore star remained on older rubber. The only other of the front-runners to use similar tyres to Andrew was championship leader Stefan Hodgetts who was only just over a 10th of a second faster, boosting the teenager’s confidence massively and ensuring he heads into round seven next weekend, 28th/29th July, with a real chance of challenging for his first podium.“It’s been a really good day”, said a delighted Andrew at the conclusion of the final session, “In the wet we were seven 10ths of a second quicker than anyone but we came into the pits with a small problem and then the gap closed as the track got quicker. We still ended the session fastest though which we were very happy with.“In the last session it dried but I didn’t run on new tyres, three of the four drivers ahead of me did though so it was only really (Stefan) Hodgetts who was genuinely quicker. Our tyres were pretty good but not brand new like the ones (Robert) Lawson, (Andrew) Jordan and (Martin) Byford used.”Andrew added: “We did have a lot of understeer to sort out in the first session and I also needed to get back up to speed as it’s been a long time since I came to Snetterton. As soon as we had that sorted though, everything went very well. I’m looking forward to next weekend now, we turned a corner at Donington and we’re continuing that progress.”Andrew’s next track outing will come next Friday, 27th July, during pre-event testing at Snetterton ahead of the seventh round of the ELF Renault Clio Cup. Qualifying is expected to begin at 11.35 on Saturday, 28th July, with the qualification races timetabled to begin at 17.00. The feature race will follow at 14.10 on Sunday, 29th July, and will be broadcast live on digital satellite and cable subscription channel Setanta Sports 1.Provisional 2007 ELF Renault Clio Cup Driver Standings (after Rd6)1st Stefan Hodgetts, 157pts; 2nd Martin Byford, 136pts; 12th Andrew Herron, 48pts