ROUNDS
3 & 4 – ELF Renault Clio Cup, Thruxton, Hampshire,
25/26 April 2009
Newsham flies for Amery Motorsport at Thruxton
Rounds 3 & 4 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup took place at the
super-fast Thruxton circuit in Hampshire. With the Clio’s
reaching speeds of 140mph, it proves a real test of nerve and skill
for the drivers, in this ultra-competitive one-make saloon car
series.
With 26 cars on track for qualifying, finding a clear lap was always
going to be crucial. Dave Newsham was instantly on the pace, setting
the fastest time on his second run. Deciding to rest his tyres
for the races to follow, Dave pitted early in the hope of keeping
hold of pole position, only to be beaten in the final minutes by
championship leader, Phil Glew, resulting in P2 and P3 respectively
for both races. Dave Shepherd struggled to find the pace he showed
at Thruxton last season, qualifying in P13, with P14 for race two.
Meanwhile Clio rookie Darren Wilson ended P26 for both races, but
still pleased having improved his times significantly from previous
testing.
Race one on Saturday afternoon, was full of incidents and unfortunately
Amery’s Dave Shepherd, (alias ‘Dreaded Dave’)
was a victim of a five car pile-up on the opening lap and suffered
significant damage to his Clio. Meanwhile at the front Dave Newsham
made a great start, taking the lead into the first corner, hit
hard from behind at the ‘complex’ Dave was knocked
sideways, losing a place in the process. After several more paint-swopping
moments including being knocked sideways at 120mph at ‘Church’ the
UK’s fastest corner, Dave managed to stay on the tarmac but
lost another place and by the flag finished in 4th place after
what he stated afterwards, was one of his toughest ever races.
Darren Wilson ended happy with 18th and a couple of points in the
bag.
The Amery Motorsport team were kept busy Saturday evening, rebuilding
Dave Shepherds car ready for Sundays race and as ever, the whole
team rose to the challenge as Shepherds car No. 32, proudly lined-up
on the grid alongside the other Clio’s.
Race two and again Dave Newsham made a great start from P3 on the
grid, moving into second place as he exited the ‘complex’,
once again he was hit from behind, this time damaging his rear
suspension. With a miss-handling car, Dave managed still to set
the second fastest lap time, finishing the race in 4th place again
and frustrated by his rivals on-track antics.
Dave Shepherd managed to finish the race in 18th place, despite
contact on the first lap, limping to the flag with damaged steering,
yet still holding position for most of the race. Darren Wilson
kept out of trouble finishing just out of the points in 21st place.
Said Darren afterwards, “Thruxton was always going to be
a challenge for me, as it is the fastest track in the UK and I’m
pleased with my progress over the weekend, having knocked 4 seconds
off my pace from initial testing”.
Team Principal, Martin Amery stated, “It’s always a
relief to get through a Thruxton weekend, Dave Newsham was very
quick and I guess is slightly disappointed, just as the team is,
to so narrowly miss-out on the podium. Dave Shepherd struggled
to get the best out of the car this weekend and suffered bad luck
in both races, so it looks like it’s only Darren who will
be singing on the way home”.
You can watch the ELF Renault Clio Cup live on ITV4 with further
coverage on Motorsport UK and Men & Motors, check programme
listings for times.
News Archive >
|
