Leading Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and Renault UK Clio Cup team Scuderia Vittoria heads the initial list of entries for the upcoming ‘Autumn Cup’ event, which takes place at Rockingham in Northamptonshire on 16th/17th November, after confirming no fewer than six driver signings.
Featuring a rich mix of experienced Clio competitors and newcomers, the Sunbury-on-Thames squad’s line-up will be led by Renault UK Clio Cup racer Devon Modell (Maidstone) who ended his maiden season 12th overall with a best result of fourth place – achieved at Rockingham.
Making good progress in his first season in cars, having returned to competitive action in 2013 after a four-year break since concluding his karting career, the 23-year-old is expected to be a consistent front-runner and podium contender in the Autumn Cup.
Norwegian driver Tommy Ostgaard, a multiple race winner from the Road Series division of the Michelin Clio Cup Series, makes the switch to the Race Series for the Autumn Cup, marking the 20-year-old’s first competitive experience of a third generation racing Clio on slick Michelin tyres.
Alex Walker (Oldham), who will celebrate his 19th birthday this coming weekend, is set to make his saloon car debut with Scuderia Vittoria having been on the sidelines for a couple of years due to a shortfall in budget. After establishing a highly successful karting career, Walker made a big impact in his first season in single-seaters and ended the 2011 InterSteps campaign as Vice-Champion.
Legends Car Championship competitor Jamie Clarke (Liverpool) will also make his Renault Clio bow, the 33-year-old having built an impressive career in the 5/8 scale American replicas. Winning the Scottish Championship in 2003, Clarke then went on to become a front-running force in both the full UK championship and also in the World Finals.
Completing the line-up will be London-based duo Michele Faissola and Andrew Wright. Italian 45-year-old Faissola will be leaping in at the deep end as a racing novice while 60-year-old White has been competing for three seasons – first in the Mazda MX5 Championship before moving into Lotus Cup UK and then making selected outings in Chevrons and the Funcup.
In addition to Scuderia Vittoria’s entry, Little Eaton-based Michelin Clio Cup Race Series squad 20Ten Racing is expected to field two cars in the Autumn Cup with the team’s Renault UK Clio Cup driver Graham Field (Southwell, Nottinghamshire) the first confirmed signing.
Privateer runner Brett Lidsey (Dartford), one of the lead competitors during the inaugural season for the Michelin Clio Cup Series this year, has also confirmed his registration for the Rockingham races and will be keen to add to the podium finish he achieved at Brands Hatch back in September.
“Our Autumn Cup offers fantastic value for money racing and we’re delighted with the mix of entries we’ve received so far”, said category promoter Simon North, “Scuderia Vittoria have done a fantastic job in sealing six deals and we’re really pleased to see Graham taking part with 20Ten and, of course, Brett with his self-run car. We’re expecting several more deals to be confirmed in due course.”
Qualifying for the 20-minute sprint race at Rockingham will get underway at 10.40 on Saturday, 16th November, with the encounter itself following at 12.45. On Sunday, 17th November, the qualifying session for the 45-minute ‘enduro’ will begin at 10.05 with the race scheduled to start at 11.55.
Along with headline sponsors Michelin and Protyre, the Clio Cup Series is additionally supported by Safety Devices, Mark Fish Motorsport and The Lubricant Consultancy.
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