ELF Renault Clio Cup rookie Jonathan Ridley-Holloway produced one of the
best race performances of his debut season in the category at Snetterton in
Norfolk today, Sunday, 13th July, during an action-packed 14th round of the
championship.
 The Barnstaple ace, who qualified for the race 14th on the grid, looked in
superb form throughout the second of the weekend’s races and served up a series
of terrific overtaking moves on the likes of former British Touring Car
Championship competitor Gavin Pyper and multiple Clio Cup champion Paul
Rivett.
Ending the race a highly creditable ninth, just four 10ths of a second shy
of Total Control Racing team-mate Mike Robinson at the chequered flag, Jonathan
produced front-running pace throughout. His fastest lap of the race, 1m 18.591
seconds was actually just three 10ths of a second outside the best managed by
eventual winner Ben Winrow.
“It was a brilliant race”, commented the 24-year-old at the conclusion, “I
didn’t get a bad start and then just went through and made a few places, it was
great. I got a hell of an exit through Sear every time. I picked off (Gavin)
Pyper, got by (Paul) Rivett and passed (Lee) Pattison too with some good
moves.”
After negotiating the first two corners of the race safely, Jonathan moved
into 13th as he headed down Revett Straight on lap one and emerged from the Bomb
Hole ahead of Pyper in 12th place before also moving ahead of Pattison.
Running in 10th place on lap four, the A4 Apparel, PicoPC.co.uk and Bond
Oxborough Phillips backed racer pressed on before passing vastly experienced
Clio Cup competitor Paul Rivett on lap six for ninth position into the
Esses.
On lap eight, the Safety Car was deployed and it remained on track until
lap 10. At the re-start, Jonathan got away cleanly and shadowed team-mate
Robinson to the flag on lap 18.
“It really was a mega race”, added the North Devon star, “Unfortunately I
couldn’t get Mike (Robinson) but he was really struggling towards the end. After
the Safety Car I just didn’t have quite the same rhythm but I’m delighted with
the result and also our competitiveness this weekend.”
Saturday’s 13th round wasn’t as fruitful for Jonathan after an opening lap
drama saw him drop from his grid position of 15th down to 25th place. Fighting
hard as the race progressed, the North Devon racer had climbed into the top 18
just prior to a Safety Car period on lap eight which coincided with light
rainfall starting.
At the re-start on lap 13, and with the rain ceasing again, Jonathan stayed
ahead of reigning ELF Renault Clio Winter Cup Champion Niki Lanik and after
taking 17th place at the Bomb Hole on lap 14, he moved ahead of TCR team-mate
Fulvio Mussi for 16th at the Esses during the next tour, where he would remain
to the chequered flag.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t be in the top 10 on Saturday as we definitely
had the pace but I’m pleased with how we’ve gone in general at Snetterton and
it’s given us a good boost for the next two races in a couple of weeks”, said
Jonathan, “I absolutely love Oulton Park so I’m feeling confident we can go
there and achieve a couple of good finishes.”
Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2008 ELF Renault Clio Cup will take place a
fortnight from now over the weekend 26th/27th July at Oulton Park Island Circuit
in Cheshire.
|
