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Fildes Confirms Title Credentials With Maiden Test Miles |
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Monday, 26 February 2007 |
 Jonathan Fildes, 2003 ELF Renault Clio Cup Champion, confirmed his pre-season billing as one of the favourites to claim this year’s title after a highly competitive test outing at Silverstone National Circuit today; the Irish star instantly on the pace during his first ever run in the brand new Clio 197.
The 31-year-old, who will be backed throughout the season by Applied Signs & Display, Asgard Taverns and Barry Evans Plastics, arrived at the Northamptonshire venue with no prior mileage in the new generation Clio under his belt but swiftly served notice to his series rivals he is back in the Clio Cup with one aim only, to win the championship.
Competing with crack squad Total Control Racing, the Co.Meath sensation
concluded the first Clio group test of the year just three 10ths of a
second shy of the outright pace, an excellent achievement having only
been acquainted with his new car this morning.
With conditions blustery and cold during the opening two hour 45 minute
session, light rain did threaten towards the end of the morning but
skies brightened early in the afternoon enabling Jonathan to enjoy a
full day of dry running.
“We’re all very happy with the way testing has gone for us today”, said
Jonathan, “I’m delighted with the pace we’ve shown, Lee (Brookes) is
happy and the whole team has been quick. The new car really suits my
driving style, which is the complete reverse to the SEAT I raced last
year, so things are looking very good ahead of the new season.
“Unfortunately the test was blighted by a lot of stoppages but when we
were able to string some laps together we were consistently quick. To
end the day just a couple of 10ths off drivers who have been testing
for weeks has given me a lot of confidence, I can’t wait for the next
official test at Brands Hatch now.”
Although Silverstone isn’t included on the 2007 Renault Clio Cup race
calendar, today’s outing certainly gave Jonathan some valuable mileage
and enabled a clearer picture of each driver’s relative pace to emerge.
The first officially timed test of the pre-season will take place in a
fortnight’s time at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on Monday, 12th March.
The Kent venue will then host the opening race meeting of the 2007
Renault Clio Cup season on Saturday, 31st March, and Sunday, 1st April.
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