ROUND 4 – ELF Renault Clio Cup / Croft, Yorkshire, June 2nd/3rd 2007

Mixed Fortunes for Team Gladman at Croft

The tricky, technical Croft circuit in the North East of England played host to round four of the ELF Renault Clio Cup on the 2nd and 3rd of June. Supporting the British Touring Car Championship, large crowds attended the race weekend, enjoying the early summer sunshine and a great line-up of car races.

As in previous race events, the over subscribed Clio Cup championship means that the 42 drivers entered have to qualify not only for grid position, but also to be eligible for the 36 grid slots for Sundays points scoring race.

Both Jonathan and David were in the second of the two qualifying sessions on Saturday, qualifying 11th and 14th respectively out of the 21 cars in their session. Both drivers are starting to feel more comfortable with the car and have been experimenting with the set-up with the Amery Motorsport technicians, opting for a more twitchy rear suspension, which although more difficult to drive, gives more speed out of the corners and improved lap-times as a result.

Both ‘Team Gladman’ drivers were lined-up in the second of the two qualifying races on Saturday afternoon. David had a good trouble free race, getting to the chequered flag with his car unscathed and ready for Sunday’s race final. Jonathan however after making a good start, was hit three times by the same car on the first lap as they battled for position, resulting in a damaged front suspension link.

All Jonathan could do was try to hold position, which was extremely difficult and on the last lap he nudged rival Healey into a spin, which was later protested and Jonathan was given a one second penalty, leaving him in 19th place and out of Sundays race, as only the top 18 cars go through to the final from each of the two qualifying races.

On Sunday all eyes were on David to gain some points for the ‘Team Gladman’ campaign. His dad Jonathan could only watch from the pit lane as the 1st reserve, witnessing David drive a superb race, gaining several places and battling with the pace-setters near the front. A mature performance resulted in David finishing in 13th position from a starting grid position of 23 and picking-up his second points of the season.

Amery Motorsport were delighted, seeing their drivers both show more speed during the weekend, off the back of a successful test day and gaining in confidence as they both got to grips better with their cars.

A delighted David said, “It really came together for me this weekend and I feel loads faster now. To be battling with the quicker lads near the front was great and to pick a few off was even better, I can start living up to my nick-name of ‘Dreaded Dave’ from now on!”

Sponsors Birchall, Interlock Paving, Conder Structures and Groundworks North East, all enjoyed the weekends action along with the glamour, thrills and spills of the British Touring Car races.

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