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Reigning ELF Renault Clio Cup champion Tom Onslow-Cole (New Malden, Surrey) caught the attention of Eurocup Mégane Trophy teams with an outstanding performance in his first outing in the Mégane Trophy racer. Onslow-Cole, 19, took part in the test arranged by Renault Sport as the top part of his prize for winning the 2006 Clio Cup title.
Joining the Surrey teenager on-track were Spanish Clio Cup champion Luis Calleja and Dutch and German Clio Cup champion Mike Verschuur. The car was engineered at the Circuit Paul Armagnac, in Nogaro, France, by reigning Eurocup Mégane Trophy champion team Equipe Verschuur.
Unseasonably poor weather at the 2.26-mile circuit in south-west France meant conditions for all three drivers were extremely difficult as they learned both a new car and a new circuit. The track was wet throughout, with occasional hailstorms making visibility even worse.
Despite this, Onslow-Cole made a solid start to his day with a competitive time in an opening 10-lap run. He quickly identified how best to use the 330bhp from the 3.5-litre engine and was comfortable switching from the front-wheel drive Clio Renaultsport 182 of his title-winning year to the rear-wheel drive Mégane Trophy.
After a break for lunch and a chance to debrief with the team engineers, Onslow-Cole returned to the track for a 15-lap stint. Mike Verschuur, who will race in the Mégane Trophy championship in 2007, had set a time of 1min 47.8s, which became Onslow-Cole’s target for his own run.
With the rain easing towards the end of the stint, Onslow-Cole lapped the circuit in a time of 1min 47.470s (75.67mph). Established Eurocup Mégane Trophy teams and drivers were also present at the test and Onslow-Cole’s time was close to the top of the list of times from all drivers. Given that some of those present are entering their second season in the series, this makes Onslow-Cole’s performance even more impressive.
The former Total Control Racing star is now preparing for his first season in the British Touring Car Championship, with the first rounds at Brands Hatch on April 1st. The ELF Renault Clio Cup is a support race to this event, also hosting its first race.
Commenting on the day, Onslow-Cole said: “The car was really good fun to drive, even though the conditions were pretty bad. It is actually much easier to learn a new car and new circuit in the wet because everything moves a little slower. I was surprised how much grip was available even though the track was so slick and as long as you feed the power in slowly you can get quite a lot of grip.
“I gained confidence in the car during the first session and it reminded me of my karting days with the rear-wheel drive. In the afternoon I was able to have some fun with the car and slide it through a few corners.
“I’d like to thank Renault Sport for organising the day and it has been a fantastic experience. If I hadn’t been offered a drive in BTCC, I would definitely have considered racing in the Mégane Trophy and on today’s experience I wouldn’t have been disappointed!”
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