As the countdown to rounds four and five of the Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and Road Series continues ahead of the visit to Thruxton this weekend, 13th/14th June, leading competitors from both categories say the event could be one of the most unpredictable of the 2015 season.
Race Series points leader Luke Herbert (Chichester), who won two of the three contests during the season opening triple-header at Rockingham in April, carries a 22 point advantage into the second event of the campaign which will mark the 25-year-old’s first competitive experience of Thruxton.
While the Westbourne Motorsport driver did take part in a pre-season test day at the 2.35-mile track back in February, a hefty excursion led to a heavily damaged Clio and a trip to hospital for precautionary checks. Herbert will, therefore, be aiming to put that behind him this weekend.
Added to that, there is no practice prior to Saturday morning’s qualifying session and so the grid-determining shoot-out could be one of the most intriguing of the year with the chance of a number of surprises among the starting order.
“Rockingham was good, I should have had three wins really – only driver error cost me”, said Herbert, “Obviously I had a big crash in testing at Thruxton, so that is in the back of my mind going back there, but I enjoy the track and I am looking forward to it.
“The test day was my first time round Thruxton, so going straight into qualifying at the weekend is going to be a challenge. The thing is you’re in sixth gear pretty much everywhere, other than the chicanes, so a small moment can usually turn into something pretty big! Hopefully it’ll be good.”
Herbert’s closest challenger in the Race Series is currently privateer runner Paul Streather (Hinckley), the second year Clio racer having secured his maiden victory during round three. Like his title rival and fellow 25-year-old, Streather doesn’t have any previous race experience at Thruxton but he is determined to head out in qualifying and do what he always does – drive as fast as possible.
“I’m really looking forward to the weekend, I’ve only been to Thruxton once before and my car then broke in qualifying so I haven’t really got any experience of the track – I’ve never tested there”, he explained, “It’ll be interesting going straight into qualifying but I’m ready to try my hardest.
“Rockingham was a weekend of ups and downs but to get the win in the third race was great. We just had some bad luck in the first two, the car was mega all weekend. Thruxton is a daunting place but I tend to like fast, flowing circuits and I’m ready for the challenge.”
Thruxton will be particularly testing for the Road Series racers, not least the highest speed section between Noble and Church which will ask a huge amount from the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 road tyres with the cars absolutely flat-out.
Going into the weekend, Jade Developments racer Luke Pinder (Shipley) is the driver to beat after making a faultless start to the season with three pole positions and a hat-trick of sensational victories. As another competitor with no prior knowledge of Thruxton, rounds four and five will be a completely new challenge for the former rally driver but one he is very much looking forward to.
“Rockingham was pretty special”, said Pinder, “Thruxton is going to be something totally different, I’ve never been there – I didn’t get along to the test day – so it’s going to be in at the deep end. Jake [Honour] knows the circuit from then so, hopefully, he’ll be able to help me out as team-mates and show me the ropes. I’m going in as I always do, take it as it comes, but I will be pushing to win.”
For local racer Jake Honour (Devizes), the second event of the season will mark a key opportunity to try and turn the tables on Pinder from the opening weekend. But while it is very much a ‘home’ event for the 23-year-old, he still only has limited knowledge of the Andover track.
“I’ve only been to Thruxton once before for the test in February, and it was pouring down with rain, so my experience is limited”, said Honour, “It should be a good weekend, there are going to be a lot of people there, sponsors, family and people from work - so no pressure!
“If it’s dry, then it’ll be hard on the tyres as the circuit is abrasive and there are only really two braking zones – the rest of it is just a quick dab on the brakes or a little lift. It’ll definitely be an eye-opener, especially going straight into qualifying, but the plan is for Luke [Pinder] and I to work together to see off the competition. I’d like to beat him, though, it’s my turn!”
Thruxton qualifying will take place at 10.50 on Saturday, 13th June, with round four scheduled to follow at 16.20. On Sunday, 14th June, round five will get underway at 15.15. Live timing will be available here with updates throughout the weekend from the official Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and Road Series Twitter feed @ClioCupSeries
Along with headline sponsors Michelin and Protyre, the Clio Cup Series is additionally supported by Ferodo and Safety Devices with further support for the Road Series from Monster Sport Europe.
Provisional 2015 Michelin Clio Cup Race Series Points (after Rd3): 1st Luke Herbert, 92pts; 2nd Paul Streather, 70pts; 3rd Sam Randon, 69pts; 4th Brett Lidsey, 66pts; 5th Andy Jordan, 64pts; 6th Ben Davis, 60pts
Provisional 2015 Michelin Clio Cup Road Series Points (after Rd3): 1st Luke Pinder, 102pts; 2nd Jake Honour, 84pts; 3rd Nic Harrison, 72pts; 4th Matt Fincham, 67pts; 5th Sarah Franklin, 56pts; 6th Tyler Lidsey, 52pts
