TCR’s ELF Renault Clio Cup team were in action at Oulton Park yesterday with Leeds racer Sam Tordoff taking his fifth podium of the 2010 season and team-mates Mike Robinson and James Dixon finishing fourth and eighth respectively.
Realistically such was the closeness of competition between Tordoff and pole-sitter Dave Newsham, whichever driver managed to nose into the lead through Old Hall Corner would most probably take the chequered flag as the winner 12 laps later.
As it turned out, that was indeed the case with Newsham just managing to fend off the TCR racer through the first turn and down to Cascades. From that point on, he remained glued to Newsham’s rear bumper and ended the race a mere 0.5 seconds adrift.
Robinson ran a consistently strong fourth throughout the race and although coming under some fairly intense pressure from Lee Pattison throughout, especially during the latter stages, he held firm and enhanced his top three championship placing.
Rookie saloon car racer Dixon produced another strong, consistent run to bounce back well from his testing accident at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit during the previous event at the start of April. He fought hard with Jack Goff and although having slipped back to ninth Dixon managed to re-take the place on the final lap at the hairpin.
“Who won the race was determined at the first corner really”, said Brookes, “It was that close, it was all about whether (Dave) Newsham or Sam got there first. From there, they were evenly matched so hopefully tomorrow Sam can go one better. Mike did well in fourth place, he’s feeling confident at the moment, and James showed good pace again. He’s still learning but he’s really improving.”
Round 11 of the Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup is scheduled to take place at 15.10 tomorrow, Sunday, 6th June, with round eight of the ELF Renault Clio Cup following immediately after at 15.50. Both races are set to be screened live in the UK on Freeview, cable and digital satellite channel ITV4.
2010 ELF Renault Clio Cup Standings (after Rd7):Drivers: 3rd Mike Robinson, 147pts; 4th Sam Tordoff, 139pts; 16th James Dixon, 38ptsTeam: 2nd Total Control Racing, 303pts
