ROUNDS 1&2 – ELF Renault Clio Cup
Brands Hatch, Kent, March 29/30th

Red Flags at Brands Hatch opener

The two opening rounds of the 2008 ELF Renault Clio Cup championship at the famous Kent racing circuit - Brands Hatch, were both ended with red flags following incident-packed races for Sandbach father and son duo - Jonathan and David Shepherd.

The ELF Renault Clio Cup is a one-make saloon car series, now enjoying its ninth year and still a firm favourite with the crowds as it supports the high-profile British Touring Car Championship.

A proven stepping-stone for potential touring car aspirants the Clio Cup attracts some of the best drivers in the UK, as they compete for the honours and the chance to move up into top-level motorsport.

Heavy downpours during Friday’s practice caused problems for all the drivers and teams, making it very difficult to set-up the car for qualifying on Saturday morning. With the track staying dry for the qualifying session, both drivers had to quickly get used to the dry set-up with David adapting best, posting 9th and 10th fastest times for his two race start positions.

Race one on Saturday afternoon was a tense affair, with drivers and teams staring up at the black clouds overhead, leaving it as late as possible before the start to make their final tyre choice, eventually both drivers opted for slick tyres as they made final preparations for the race.

As the red lights went out, David made a great start holding the inside line for the first few corners and maintaining 9th position, until a restart following a safety car period, saw him lock his rear brakes going into the famous Paddock Hill bend, sending him flying off the track and into the barriers, damaging the rear corner and ending his race.

Jonathan meanwhile, having decided to start the race from the pit-lane to give the option of a last minute change of mind on tyre choice, stayed on slicks and managed to avoid all the mayhem ahead, as he worked his way through to finish in the points in 18th position, after the race was red flagged following a crash. Commenting afterwards, he said “After a poor qualifying performance, I decided to start from the pit lane and it proved to be a good call, unfortunately one of the places I benefited from was David’s, but that’s motorsport for you”.

Race two early on Sunday afternoon and televised live on ITV Four, was a dry race with the sun just starting to shine and both the Team Gladman drivers hoping for better fortunes in front of the cameras and their sponsors and guests from ‘Birchall’.

This time as the lights went out Jonathan made a good start moving up 5 places on the first lap, however all this was soon undone as he was forced into a spin at ‘Surtees’ dropping to the back of the field. Meanwhile David had made a slow start and was swamped by Clios into the first few corners dropping five places in the process. As he settled into the race he soon caught the cars in front and entered into a three car battle for 13th place, eventually finishing 14th as the red flags were brought out for a stranded car at ‘Surtees’.

Both drivers ended the weekend with points in the bag, something they did not manage early last season, but neither driver was pleased with their results, especially David given his pace in qualifying.
You can watch the ELF Renault Clio Cup live on ITV Four and further coverage on Motorsport UK, check programme listings for times.

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