Paul Rivett (Banstead) starts from pole position for round 10 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup after winning his Qualification Race on Saturday, 8th September at Donington Park. The Clio Cup is racing in support of the World Series by Renault, with a crowd of 55,000 in attendance for qualifying and more expected on Sunday.
Momo UK’s Stefan Hodgetts (Redditch) lines up alongside Rivett as the winner of Qualification Race 2, with Z Speed Racing’s Championship leader Martin Byford (Colchester) and Benham Motorsport with Robertshaw Racing’s Barry Benham (Cheltenham) on row two.
JHR Developments’ Robert Lawson (Richmond, N Yorks) starts fifth with Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall (Carlisle) in his best grid position of the season in sixth. JHR’s Jim Edwards Jnr was issued with a one-second time penalty pushing him back behind Team Eurotech-John Guest Speedfit’s Andrew Jordan (Sutton Coldfield) after contact between the pair during Qualification Race 2.
Rivett took the lead of Qualification Race 1 on the third lap by passing Byford with a brave move through the daunting Craner Curves. Robertshaw Racing’s Chris Dymond (Akeley) and TCR’s Jonathan Fildes (Co Meath) enjoyed a great race for eighth after Fildes recovered a huge slide with tremendous car control when tagged by pole-sitter Michael Doyle (Gartocharn), who had himself run wide at the Old Hairpin.
Rivett edged away from Byford and although Byford fought back, a red flag on lap six brought the race to a premature halt. This was as a result of contact between EPS UK with IDL Racing Services Robert Gaffney (Waltham Abbey) and Cleland Motorsport’s series newcomer Simon Quinn (Co Meath) at Coppice, which resulted in Gaffney’s exclusion.
Qualification Race 2 saw a red flag on lap one after a five-car incident at the Melbourne Hairpin culminated in Full Speed Racing’s Ant Scragg (Tunbridge Wells) overturning, although he was unhurt. At the restart, Hodgetts took the lead and was never headed as the battle for second place unfolded behind him.
TCR’s Ben Winrow held the place until lap four and a mistake at Goddards Chicane saw him lose momentum, Benham taking advantage to snatch second. Kangaroo International/SMC Renault/JHR’s Jim Edwards Jnr (Maidenhead) then out-braked two drivers into Redgate corner before being involved in contact as the cars raced four-wide down the back straight.
Commenting on earning pole position, Paul Rivett, winner of round nine at Brands Hatch on his sensational return to the series three weeks ago, said: “I had a good run at Martin as we came to Craner Curves and although it was tight we gave each other room. He kept the pressure on me but I managed to keep in front and now I have a chance to show what I can do during the championship race tomorrow.”
Round 10 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup is scheduled to start at 11.25 on Sunday.
