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Chance Of A Lifetime For Formula Nuts Winner |
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Tuesday, 10 October 2006 |
Lincolnshire-based ELF Renault Clio Cup team Boulevard Team Racing is giving one young driver the opportunity of a lifetime with a race seat for this weekend’s season finale at Silverstone. James Clarkson (Milton Keynes), 20, is the inaugural winner of the Formula Nuts racing scholarship and will drive for the Boulevard Team Racing/Formula Nuts team alongside regular drivers Martin Johnson (Alford, Lincs) and Paul Rivett (Banstead, Surrey) at Silverstone National Circuit on 14th/15th October.
The Formula Nuts competition was set up as a hunt for the UK’s fastest driver, not already racing in a major Championship. Clarkson, a former karting Champion, came through his regional heat at Hertfordshire’s Rye House kart circuit, which then hosted the karting final on 25th September. The final 10 drivers from the hundreds of hopefuls went head-to-head at Wigan’s Three Sisters kart circuit, with Clarkson impressing a judging panel including Johnson and 2001 ELF Renault Clio Cup Champion Danny Buxton.
Clarkson, who is completing an apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering at the National College of Motorsport near Silverstone, said: “It’s all a bit surreal really and I can’t wait to get into the Clio
Cup car. I keep imagining what it will be like and visualising how to
take the corners. I’m nervous, but in an excited way rather than being
scared. I was on cloud nine when I heard I was the winner but I’ve come
back down to earth now and there’s a few butterflies.”
He continued: “I’m originally from Cornwall and it’s not easy to go car
racing, although I did win the Club Championship at Clay Pigeon and
Dunkeswell kart circuits. The final at Three Sisters was great and one
of the dad’s who was unofficially timing us said I was one second per
lap faster than anyone else. We were all interviewed as well and I just
spoke from the heart about how much this chance would mean to me and
I’m delighted to have won.”
Danny Buxton, who also attended the karting final at Three Sisters,
will mentor Clarkson during the race weekend. Commenting on the advice
he received, Clarkson said: “I used to watch Danny race on television
and thought he was quite mild-mannered so it was surprising to see how
aggressive he was when driving the car and how aggressive he was
telling me to be under braking. I can’t appreciate how valuable his
advice will be during the weekend and hopefully I’ll be able to put in
a good performance.”
The Formula Nuts competition was organised by former Clio Cup racer
Nick Keynes, who believes it has served its purpose in its opening
year. Keynes said: “James’ win is the culmination of a lot of hard work
over several months and I believe we have created something with
long-term potential. There was an amazing reaction to the competition
and a real mixed bag of talent.
“James really shone on every level and at every stage of the
competition. He’s done some karting but never any car racing and from
that point of view we couldn’t have found a better winner. The whole
judging panel was very impressed with him and everyone involved with
the competition wishes him the best of luck at Silverstone.”
Rounds 19 and 20 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup take place on the
1.64-mile National circuit at the Northamptonshire venue. Qualifying is
scheduled for 11:35hrs-11:55hrs on Saturday, 14th October. Round 19 is
due to start at 16:45hrs on 14th October and the season finishes with
round 20 at 12:00hrs on Sunday, 15th October.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 December 2006 )
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