Clark climbs to top ten finish at Thruxton Formula Renault UK.

Thruxton proved to be good challenge for Kieren Clark, the 19 year old racer from Royston, Cambridgeshire, notching up final positions of 14th and 10th in rounds 7 and 8 of the Formula Renault UK championship, both from qualifying positions at back end of the grid. Sunday’s races were watched by a packed crowd at the super fast Hampshire circuit, and round 8 featuring live on ITV4.

Starting from 18th place on the 21 car grid, Kieren made a good start to move up 2 places in the first lap, but narrowly avoided being clipped by his team mate Sho Hanawa, who had taken to the grass and spun back on track, just behind Kieren. As the race settled, Kieren was chasing Surtees for all of the remaining laps and both catching the pack in front until, an unfortunate Rossi spun off on the last lap.

The second race, with its usual live ITV4 slot, again saw Kieren with a back end view of the grid, starting from 17th. A good start was eclipsed by his Apotex Scorpio team mate, Tom Mun, as both made up places, and Kieren quickly took Tom back, to latch onto Pentus. On lap 3 the safety car was deployed, after a spectacular roll from Yamamoto, which he fortunately quickly emerged from, demonstrating the ruggedness of the Formula Renault carbon fibre monocoque. After 6 laps of the safety car, racing resumed, but Kieren couldn’t get to make a challenge, but on the last lap, both managed to make up a place for Kieren to take the tenth position.

"This is the first time I’ve finished a race here", reflected KC "after some bad luck in previous years, so that and a tenth place, it’s been a good day. Race 2 was a great start for me and made up places, but Tom flashed past on the grid, so I had to get past him quickly. After the safety car, I didn’t really get my tyres fully up to temperature so didn’t really manage to get any advantage there, but kept chasing Sten (Pentus) and we managed to make a place up on the last lap, so good result. I struggled in qualifying, with no testing here on Friday, so didn’t get into the track at all, and a fast lap is all about getting the lines right. "

The next Rounds of the Formula Renault UK championship are at Croft on May 31st and June 1st, as part of the British Touring Car Championship weekend, with big crowds expected, along with live ITV4 coverage on the Sunday, of the afternoon’s events, its one not to miss.

Log on to Kieren’s website at www.kierenclark.com to enter a fantastic money-can’t-buy prize for the next BTCC touring car round, and see our lucky Thruxton winners enjoying their prize day out.

The BTCC racing weekends offer a fantastic opportunity for businesses to invite key customers, investors and reward employees. We are keen to discuss how you can join our current partner, Taylex, the successful exhibitions displays company, in being part of this incredible media event.

- KK -