WINTER CHAMPION LANIK SIGNS TO DEFEND HIS TITLEReigning ELF Renault Clio Winter Cup champion Niki Lanik (Ashurst Wood) will defend the title he won in 2006 after registering for this year’s four-round championship. Racing for the Youth 4 Human Rights with SVE team, Lanik continues his association with Colin Stancombe’s squad that brought him three top-12 finishes on the way to 26th overall in the 2007 ELF Renault Clio Cup.Lanik won the 2006 title thanks to three wins and a second place. He begins the defence of his crown at Donington Park National circuit on Saturday, 3rd November, with rounds three and four at North Yorkshire’s Croft circuit on Saturday, 10th November. Each day sees one qualifying session and two championship rounds.Commenting on his prospects for the Winter Cup, Lanik said: “My plan is obviously to win it again, but I’m not feeling any pressure as defending champion. I will use the championship to develop my race-craft. I know that I can be quick, but I need to learn more about how to race and that’s something that I’ve picked up during this season racing against drivers like Martin Byford and Paul Rivett.“I love Croft, it’s always great fun to race there and Donington Park is one of my favourites as well. It’s also good for my sponsors and there’s been a lot of interest after winning the title last year, especially from Miracle Drywash who are supporting me this time.”Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley (Morecambe) is another current Clio Cup driver to enter the Winter Cup, his team also running the car of Stewart Lines (Allen End, Staffs) who will race under the team name of www.maximumsolutions.co.uk.Already entered for the championship are Team Pyro’s Chris Law (Guernsey) and Joe Hopkins (Shepshed), Robertshaw Racing’s Harry Vaulkhard (Jesmond), Total Control Racing trio Alex MacDowall (Carlisle), Mike Robinson (Effingham) and Jonathan Ridley-Holloway (Barnstaple). Mardi Gras Motorsport’s Árón Smith (Rathfarnham) will take part in rounds three and four at Croft.