Only two more Renault UK Clio Cup races at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit in Kent next weekend, 12th/13 October, stand between Simon Belcher and a second successive Masters Cup title triumph in the ultra-competitive Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support category.After another consistent season at the wheel of his 2.0-litre Handy Motorsport with Pyro-run Clio, the Swindon-based 39-year-old will go into the final two rounds of the season with a slim six point lead in the Masters Cup standings over Graham Field.Importantly, though, when the single ‘drop score’ rule is applied, where each competitor has to deduct their lowest score of the campaign from final totals, Belcher’s advantage increases to 16 points – albeit over Lee Pattison rather than Field.Having accrued 10 class podiums so far, including two Masters Cup wins on home soil at Thruxton earlier in the year, the KÄRCHER and No Fear Energy-supported driver is well placed to retain the Masters title but knows it is likely to go down to the last lap of the final round next Sunday.“It’s all to play for at Brands”, said the Wiltshire driver, “We’re confident we can get the job done, we just need to keep doing what we have all year and pick up two strong podiums. There’s a good chance Lee [Pattison] could win the Masters class in both races, he’s got a lot of experience, but if we can produce the sort of weekend we know we’re capable of, it should all go to plan.”What Belcher needs to avoid, of course, is a non-finish and having been the victim of an unfortunate retirement during the first of the two Rockingham races last month following contact, he knows it’s of paramount importance to score heavily in the final two rounds and avoid any on-track issues.“The biggest objective is to stay out of trouble in both races next weekend, although that’s quite often easier said than done”, he continued, “You can’t take things too steadily, that’s when you can get caught-out, but it’ll be important to have a measured approach and not take any unnecessary risks. It’d be fantastic to retain the Masters Cup, that’s been the aim from the start of the year.”Although Belcher’s second season didn’t begin as planned, after getting caught-up in a start-line tangle caused by a rival during round one at Brands Hatch’s shorter Indy Circuit, he then posted a run of eight-straight Masters podiums, including the aforementioned Thruxton wins.Despite missing out on a podium finish at Rockingham last time out, the only circuit where he hasn’t taken a rostrum so far in 2013, Belcher’s consistency has ensured another championship trophy could be heading back to Handy Motorsport’s headquarters in Swindon just over a week from now.Officially timed testing will take place at Brands Hatch on Friday, 11th October, ahead of qualifying and round 15 on Saturday, 12th October, at 10.50 and 16.30 respectively. On Sunday, 13th October, the potentially decisive final race of the season will get underway at 13.30 and will be screened live on ITV4, ITV4 HD and streamed live online at www.itv.com/btccProvisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup ‘Masters Cup’ Standings (after Rd14 – inc. drop score):1st Simon Belcher, 329ptsProvisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup Driver Standings (after Rd14 – inc.drop score):18th Simon Belcher, 64pts
Click here for the Official Renaultsport web site - designed and built by Racecar
