|
[Renault Clio Cup, UK] Solid Onslow-cole Claims Round Five Victory |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, 03 June 2006 |
SOLID ONSLOW-COLE CLAIMS ROUND FIVE VICTORY
Tom Onslow-Cole (New Malden, Surrey) continued his trend of winning the first race at each meeting by taking victory in round five of the ELF Renault Clio Cup at Thruxton on Saturday, 3rd June. The Total Control Racing star was unchallenged on his way to the chequered flag after passing Steven Hunter (Coal Aston, Dronfield) for the lead midway through the 13-lap race.
Hunter finished second, a full 10 seconds ahead of third-placed Stephen Colbert (Northampton). It is Colbert’s first podium finish in his second season of Clio Cup racing after picking up seven fourth place finishes in 2005 and earned the Mardi Gras Motorsport racer the Armor All Driver of the Day award.
Pole-sitter Michael Doyle and his JHR Racing Developments team-mate Hunter had a great first lap with Hunter edging out Paul Rivett (Banstead, Surrey) for second place. The duo then worked together to open a gap on Rivett who had suffered damage to his bonnet and was being chased down by Onslow-Cole.
Hunter and Doyle swapped position three times in as many laps before Onslow-Cole joined them on lap four after passing Rivett. Just behind, Mark Speller (Hertford), Nick Adcock (Bromyard, Hereford) and Mark Hunt (Broughton Astley, Leics) crossed the line three abreast, Speller having gone through the final chicane on two wheels.
As Onslow-Cole took the lead, his nearest Championship rival Rivett needed all his experience to hold off the charge of Speller and Doyle. The two-time former Champion led a train of six cars, which were separated by fractions of a second. On lap six, Team Pyro’s Hunt was forced into retirement after a loose stone damaged his radiator, joining Philip House (Harrogate) as the only non-finishers.
Behind that chain, 16-year-old James Williams (Norwich) put on a good show on his first visit to the high-speed circuit by keeping ahead of the experienced Martin Johnson (Alford, Lincs) while series debutant Alan Taylor (Whitley Bay) held off Mel Healey (Cheam, Surrey). Although Healey briefly passed Taylor, the 49-year-old showed great fighting spirit to regain 11th place.
Meanwhile, Onslow-Cole opened a two second gap to Hunter, with the exciting six-way battle for third place set for a last lap climax. Speller lost his chance of a first podium when he ran wide at the final chicane on lap 12. This allowed Rivett to regain third place and he led the fight around the final lap of the 2.36-mile circuit.
But with loose bodywork slowing his progress down the back straight, the Boulevard Team Racing ace was forced to take a defensive line through the final chicane and Colbert, who had been as low as ninth in the early stages, took full advantage to clinch a nail-biting third place, just 0.042s ahead of Rivett.
The victory, however, belonged to Onslow-Cole and he was delighted to extend his Championship lead. The 19-year-old commented:
|
News