AirAsia Renault UK Clio Cup rookie Rob Smith has high hopes of enjoying the most successful weekend yet of his debut season in the prestigious one-make saloon car championship when the fifth and sixth rounds of the year take place at Thruxton in Hampshire next weekend, 28th/29th April.For the third race meeting of his maiden campaign in the all action Renault Clio Cup, 19-year-old Rob is delighted to welcome fresh backing from Worcester-based Exhaust Tyres & Batteries Ltd who will join existing partners Goodride Performance Tyres and Grouptyre. Opened in 1980, the family-run Worcestershire business now operates 20 motorist centres in the Midlands and South Wales and the upcoming event at Thruxton, ETB’s local track, will mark the company’s first ever foray into motorsport sponsorship. “It’s fantastic to have Exhaust Tyres & Batteries supporting us for the Thruxton races”, said Rob, “I’m very hopeful this could be our best weekend of the season so far, I’m learning more and more every time I’m in the car and gaining more confidence as well. Thruxton is all about having confidence and we went pretty well in the official test so I’m aiming for a strong qualifying and two good races.”During the aforementioned officially timed test at Thruxton earlier in the month, the Total Control Racing driver delivered an encouraging performance on his maiden appearance at the 2.36-mile track to post the 12th fastest time overall and end the day as third quickest Rookie Cup competitor.Although the previous race meeting at Donington Park didn’t go according to plan for the first year saloon car racer, in particular an enforced off-track excursion early on during the event’s first race, he still managed to salvage some championship points which could prove crucial later in the season.During the season-opening weekend at Brands Hatch at the start of the month, Rob secured his best finish yet with eighth place in round two. With that in mind, he’s aiming to get back into the coveted top 10 when the Renault Clio Cup competitors arrive in Hampshire later this week.“Donington didn’t go how we wanted but we showed at Brands Hatch we can run in the top 10 and be competitive, that’s the aim again for Thruxton”, said the Loughborough University student, “I’ve got a great team behind me and if we can put into practice everything learned during the test day, I’m sure we can have two strong results.”Qualifying will take place at 11.30 on Saturday, 28th April, with round five scheduled to follow at around 16.40. Round six, which will be screened live on Freeview, digital satellite and cable channel ITV4, on ITV4 HD and with simultaneous streaming at the itv.com/btcc website, is timetabled to get underway at 13.00 on Sunday, 29th April.