OF CLIO CUP RETURN
Double former ELF Renault Clio Cup champion Paul Rivett (Banstead) is set to make his return to the one-make saloon-car series in round nine on 18th/19th August. The 28-year-old, champion in 2002 and 2004, will race for Entrants’ standings leader JHR Developments in place of Richard Cannon (Chesterfield) at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
Rivett, who also won Renault Clio Winter Cup titles in 2001 and 2003, has been out of racing action since finishing as 2007 Clio Cup vice-champion to Tom Onslow-Cole. He has worked this season as a driver coach to reigning Clio Winter Cup champion Niki Lanik (Ashurst Wood) before getting into the car for official testing at Thruxton on Wednesday, 8th August.
The test marked the first time Rivett has driven the record-breaking New Clio Cup car, having won his titles when Clio Renaultsport 182 race cars were used.
Commenting on his return to the grid, Rivett said: “I’m really looking forward to it and hope I can get a good result for the team to thank them for giving me the chance. JHR Developments had its first win of the year in the last round and leads the team standings so I couldn’t ask for a better car to race.
“Testing at Thruxton was a chance to see how the car handles compared to the one I raced last year. I didn’t get as many flying laps as I would have liked so I don’t think my time is representative of my true pace. We’ll go to Mallory Park next Wednesday to do some more laps and then on to Brands Hatch.”
New team for Pierce
Another team that also celebrated its first victory at Snetterton, Robertshaw Racing, has added privateer Derek Pierce (West Kilbride) to its driver line-up. Pierce has scored 14 points this season but after missing the Snetterton race meeting has reassessed his approach to his debut season of Clio Cup action.
Commenting on the switch, Pierce said: “I noticed that most drivers get in the car focused purely on racing while I was glad just to have prepared the car in time having done most of the work myself. The Clio Cup is too prestigious a championship to try to run the car the way I was, which was more like a Club racing approach.
“Robertshaw Racing was the first team I phoned because they have been very helpful to me already this season, even though I’m not part of the team. The atmosphere in the team is very friendly and I hope I can benefit from their experience for the remainder of the season.”
The Scot's new team name is Pierce Race Team with Robertshaw Racing.
Round nine of the ELF Renault Clio Cup takes place at Brands Hatch Indy circuit on 18th/19th August.
For all the latest ELF Renault Clio Cup Championship news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk
built by Racecar
