|
Byford Gains Early Momentum In First Official Timed Test |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 28 March 2007 |
Martin Byford (Colchester) was the quickest driver in the first officially-timed ELF Renault Clio Cup test at Rockingham International Super Sportscar circuit on Monday, 26th March. The Z Speed Racing privateer set a mark of 1min 30.280s (77.72mph) in session one and although he slowed to a time of 1min 30.678s (77.38mph) in session two, overall it was enough to keep him ahead of his rivals.
With the first race meeting just three days away, 33 of the 45
registered drivers took to the 1.95-mile Leicestershire circuit to be
officially timed for the first time. As expected, Byford, who won three
races from 10 starts in 2006 was on the pace from the outset. Close
behind was Mardi Gras Motorsport’s Ed Pead (Northampton) and Total
Control Racing’s Ben Winrow (Earls Barton), with just 0.274s covering
the trio in session one.
Jonathan Fildes (Co Meath), the 2003 ELF Renault Clio Cup champion was
fourth fastest ahead of his Irish compatriot Árón Smith (Rathfarnham).
Team TWC’s Barry Benham (Cheltenham), a late addition to the Clio Cup
field, signalled his intentions with the sixth-fastest time of the
session as the top 10 drivers lapped within one second of the leader as
early fog made way for sunny conditions.
Session two saw Byford remain at the top of the timesheets but by a
significantly narrower margin as Winrow finished just 0.052s adrift.
Robertshaw Racing’s Chris Dymond (Akeley, Bucks) improved from 11th in
the morning to take third place, ahead of Pead, Benham and Fildes as
five different teams filled the top five positions.
An accident in session one restricted Kangaroo International/SMC
Renault/Mark Fish’s 2000 Clio Cup champion Jim Edwards Jnr (Maidenhead,
Berks) to only 10 laps in session two after being placed 17th in
session one. Reigning ELF Renault Clio Winter Cup champion Niki Lanik
(Ashurst Wood), driving for his new Youth 4 Human Rights with SVE team,
fell from 15th in session one to end the day in 23rd place after
suffering from illness and the absence of key race engineers.
Commenting on the successful test, Byford said: “It was a fantastic day
all round for us. I’ve been to Rockingham before but not on that
particular configuration so it was a learning session to begin with. We
have a good basic set-up on the car now and we also made some positive
changes during the day.”
Despite gaining an early psychological boost over his rival, Byford
added: “I won’t get at all complacent because I’ve been in the sport
too long. There were some quick drivers who were unable to test here
today and I would say there are at least six drivers who can win at the
first race. I’m happy with the way things have gone so far but it’s one
thing to do it in testing and another to do it on a race weekend.”
The first ELF Renault Clio Cup meeting takes place in support of the
British Touring Car Championship on 31st March/1st April at Brands
Hatch Indy circuit.
|
