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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin provisional drivers’ standings (including dropped scores) – round 20: 1st Phil Glew GBR Team Pyro 561 pts 2nd Alex MacDowall GBR Total Control Racing 445 pts 3rd Andrew Herron IRL JHR Developments 362 pts 4th Aron Smith IRL Team Pyro 324 pts 5th Dave Newsham GBR Amery Motorsport 294 pts 6th Mike Robinson GBR Total Control Racing 289 pts 7th Lee Pattison GBR Range Storage Ltd/JHR 274 pts 8th Sam Tordoff GBR Total Control Racing 261 pts 9th James Colburn GBR Westbourne Motorsport/SVE 219 pts 10th Carl Bradley GBR Coastal Racing 218 pts pics . Jakob Ebrey Photography |
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DOUBLE PODIUM FOR GLEW SEES CHAMPION END SEASON AS HE STARTED
The 26-year-old Team Pyro racer claimed a lights-to-flag victory in round 20, the final round of the action-packed season, together with a second place in round 19 to finish the year on a high and secure the Entrant honours for his team. Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall, who has been Glew’s main rival throughout the series, also ended on a positive note with win in round 19 and a second place to finish as the Championship runner-up. The thrilling weekend also saw a maiden podium for Amery Motorsport’s Rob Gaffney, returning to the series after an absence, with third in round 19 while team-mate Dave Newsham picked up the remaining podium spot and finish fifth overall. With the season drawn to a close, attention now turns to the forthcoming Winter Cup series which takes place at Rockingham later in the year (7th November). Glew rounds off 2009 season...
As the lights went out for the start of the 12 lap race, it was MacDowall who made the better start with Phil only just hanging onto the lead around Paddock Hill Bend thanks to holding the inside line. Newsham was also able to move up into third with Tordoff in fourth as the field jostled for position. The opening lap saw two separate incidents at Graham Hill Bend and Surtees causing the Safety Car to be deployed at the start of lap two. Racing resumed on lap four with the race extended to fifteen laps. After bunching up the field, Glew timed his restart to perfection to open up a defendable lead crossing the Brabham Straight with MacDowall in second just ahead of Newsham. The re-start didn’t bode so well for Tordoff however who was forced to retire with what later transpired to be a broken throttle cable bracket. Sam’s retirement allowed Gaffney to move into fourth with JHR Developments’ Andrew Herron in fifth and Team Pyro’s Aron Smith in sixth – despite starting the race ninth. Out in front, Glew continued to push with the 26-year-old setting the NGK fastest lap of the race with a time of 1m 40.858s (82.12mph) around the 2.301 mile circuit. Meanwhile in the midfield, Gaffney ran wide at Graham Hill Bend dropping him down the order to sixth only to be passed by Lee Pattison at Surtees a few laps later in his Range Storage Ltd with JHR Developments car. Herron wasn’t having any better luck either, running wide at Sheene and ending his race as well as triggering a brief Safety Car period. When racing resumed Glew once again timed the re-start to perfection followed by MacDowall and Newsham. Smith was now in fourth with Pattison rounding off the top five. The re-start also allowed Total Control Racing’s Daniel Lloyd to close in on Gaffney with the 17-year-old looking strong through the second half of the circuit with Gaffney just managing to hold on to the position. With the chequered flag insight, Glew – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day -crossed the line to take his 11th win of the season and finish the season in the same fashion to which he started back in April. MacDowall came second with Newsham in third just ahead of Smith and Pattison. MacDowall ends on high...
Gaffney made the better start as Glew struggled of the line allowing MacDowall to come through into second. Herron also made a good start but had lined-up incorrectly on the start grid and subsequently was handed a drive-through penalty. Rob led the field through Pilgrim’s Drop on lap one but ran wide at Hawthorn Bend under increasing pressure from MacDowall and losing the place with Herron, Newsham and Glew all coming through. By the opening few laps MacDowall led from Herron and Newsham before the Northern Irish racer, yet to take his drive-through, had two wheels off at Graham Hill Bend causing him to spin and only narrowly missing Glew. This allowed Newsham and Phil to move into second and third as the two jostled for position. In the midfield, Westbourne Motorsport with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s James Colburn and Smith were both running strong in fifth and sixth places with Tordoff also glued to the back of Aron’s rear bumper. With a clear track in front of him, MacDowall began to edge away while behind Newsham had his mirrors filled with the Clio Cup champion who also went on to set the NGK fastest lap. Eighteen-year-old Alex wasn’t able to get too far ahead though following the intervention of the Safety Car on lap seven to help with the retrieval of Mark Hazell’s JHR Developments car at Druids. Lap 10 saw the race resume with an extended distance of 14-laps. MacDowall timed the re-start well to get away cleanly followed by Newsham and Glew while further down the order, Tordoff and Smith were running nose-to-tail after Aron ran wide at Westfield. The next lap saw waved yellow flags at Druids due to Lloyd’s stranded Total Control Racing car. As the field came round to pass, Glew saw a gap up the inside of Newsham with the two making contact and causing the 42-year-old to lose the place. Out in front, MacDowall was now starting his 14th and final lap with a cushion of nearly two seconds over second place Glew. Just behind, Colburn was making a last minute charge on Gaffney for fourth place with Rob just managing to hold off the 16-year-old. MacDowall – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day - duly crossed the line to take his fourth win of the season with Glew in second and Newsham picking up the remaining podium spot. However, a post race investigation by the Clerk of the Course found a technical infringement with Newsham’s car, excluding him from the race and promoting Gaffney to third. Colburn subsequently took fourth with Smith rounding off the top five. Despite starting from the back of the grid, Mike Robinson drove an impressive race to finish ninth. Commenting on his weekend and the 2009 season Glew said: “Winning the last race has been a great way to end the season which has just been fantastic for both me and the team. I didn’t need to race this weekend but I wanted to help Pyro secure the Entrants prize. I’m still in talks with my sponsors but my plan is to move into BTCC next season with testing scheduled over the winter with a number of the current teams.” Commenting on his weekend, Championship Runner-up MacDowall said: “I’ve tried to take the fight to Phil this season but he’s a very good driver and deserved to win. I’m pleased to end the season as Vice-Champion and another win as it’s been a while and hope when I return next year I can go into the series as title favourite.” Third place in round 20 Newsham said: “Round 20 was a good race and a good way to round off a thoroughly enjoyable season. We’ve had our ups and downs and it’s been a learning curve for me and the team but we’ve shown we have the pace and look forward to returning next year.” Gaffney, commenting on his maiden podium, added: “You don’t expect to get your first podium through a technicality but I’m pleased none the less and really enjoyed this weekend.”
Glew secures 2009 Clio Cup title in emphatic style Team Pyro’s Phil Glew wrapped up the 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin championship title in emphatic style by securing two impressive wins during rounds 17 and 18 at Northamptonshire’s Rockingham Motor Speedway on 19th/20th September. The 26-year-old who has led the one-make series from the very first round, needed just 25-points from the weekend to secure the title yet scored two convincing victories (a total of 66 points) to put him 143-points clear of nearest rival Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall and hand his team its second consecutive driver title with two rounds left to play out. Despite having not raced in the championship for more than six years, 2001 Clio Cup Champion Danny Buxton in his Amery Motorsport car, made a welcome return by picking up two second places. Meanwhile JHR Developments Andrew Herron and Total Control Racing’s Sam Tordoff each claimed a third place over the sun-soaked weekend. Glew continues to rack up wins... Round 18 of the saloon-car series saw Glew take the Michelin pole-position honours, his ninth of the season, with rookie-racer Tordoff alongside him. The field’s youngest competitor, 16-year-old James Colburn started third in his Westbourne Motorsport with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering car with MacDowall in fourth. The experienced Buxton qualified fifth. As the lights went out for the start of the 14-lap race it was Glew who made the better start followed by Tordoff and Buxton with the former champion finding a way passed the rookie by the end of the first lap. The race didn’t have long to play out though as the Safety Car was deployed on lap two following contact in the midfield on the exit to Deene Hairpin. Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham was one of those involved ending a disastrous weekend for the 42-year-old, especially after his maiden win at Silverstone. Racing resumed on lap four with two extra laps added to the original total. Glew was faultless from the re-start to lead once more closely followed by Buxton and Tordoff. Behind, Total Control Racing’s Daniel Lloyd was running strong in fourth although trying to defend from fifth place Herron who was eager to take his place. Colburn lay in sixth having not been able to capitalise on his good grid position. As the race neared half distance, Glew was being caught by Buxton although the Lincolnshire racer responded by setting the NGK fastest lap on the 1.94-mile circuit with a time of 1m 30.670s (77.02mph average). The following lap, Herron had been able to pass Lloyd to move into fourth with the 21-year-old now turning his attention to the back of Tordoff’s car. In the midfield, MacDowall and Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley were running nose-to-tail with Alex eventually getting the better of Bradley with a move up the inside at Deene Hairpin. Two thirds race distance complete and Glew was now starting to edge away from Buxton who found himself coming under increasing pressure from Tordoff. This allowed Glew to continue to push which he did until the final lap before crossing the line for his second win of the weekend and a hatrick of victories. Buxton – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – hung on to finish second with Tordoff in third and Herron in fourth. Lloyd settled for fifth while further down the order Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s Patrick Collins picked up a season best of 11th. Glew secures title... Round 17, held earlier on Sunday, saw Glew line up on the start grid as Michelin pole-sitter after lapping in the low 1m 30s during qualifying. Newsham had qualified alongside Glew but was demoted to the back of the grid by the Clerk of the Course for not returning to parc ferme after qualifying. Rookie racers and team-mates Tordoff and Lloyd sat on row two with MacDowall down in sixth. As the lights went out it was Glew who made the best start closely followed by Tordoff as the rest of the field jostled for position. At the tight Deene Hairpin, Tordoff and Glew ran wide allowing Lloyd to squeeze through into the lead with Glew holding on to second while Tordoff dropped down the order. Despite starting from the back of the grid, Newsham was already up to seventh with Buxton and Herron also running strong. By the end of the first few laps Lloyd was leading followed by Glew, Buxton and Herron with MacDowall rounding off the top five. Despite it being his first time leading a Clio race, Lloyd looked to be running well with Glew only slightly gaining under braking. Behind Buxton was running strong and setting the NGK fastest lap on lap five – just outside the lap record for the circuit. Then on lap eight, Lloyd clipped the barrier on the exit to Brook damaging his front tyre and ending his race, handing the lead to Glew. Phil had little time to build any sort of lead though as the Safety Car was deployed the following lap to recover the car of Newsham who had spun at Gracelands and ending what was turning out to be a good recovery for the Inverness racer. Racing resumed on lap 12 with the race distance increased to 16 laps. Glew – who would later be awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – made the most of the restart while behind, Herron had been able to get the run on Buxton going side-by-side over the line before taking the place. As the top three began to spread out, Team Pyro’s Aron Smith and MacDowall were battling hard for fourth and fifth places with the two often nose-to-tail around the purpose built circuit. Outside the top five, Tordoff had recovered well after the opening lap to lie in eighth chasing seventh-placed Total Control Racing’s Mike Robinson. Glew meanwhile looked dominant out in front, as he has done all season, and with just one lap to go there was little Herron could do to stop him taking the chequered flag and his ninth win and securing the 2009 title crown. Herron finished second with Buxton rounding off the podium honours. Smith finished fourth with MacDowall forced to settle for fifth. A post race investigation by the Clerk of the Course however handed Herron a time penalty for overtaking Buxton under Safety Car conditions and dropping him to third with Buxton promoted to second. A jubilant Glew commenting on his weekend as the newly-crowned champion said: “I’m absolutely delighted and want to say a massive thank you to my team, sponsors friends and family who have been amazing throughout this year. I’ve loved every minute of this season and I have to confess I had a tear in my eye on the in-lap in round 17! The Clio Cup is a fantastic championship and a proven breeding ground for future BTCC drivers which is something I now plan to do for next year.” Commenting on his weekend Buxton said: “It’s been six years since I was last in the series so to come back and get two second places is just fantastic. The car certainly felt different but thankfully it all came back to me and it’s great to be on the podium again. I really enjoyed the racing especially with Phil as he’s a good friend of mine.” Commenting on his performance, Herron said: “I had a little bit of an understeer problem but thankfully it didn’t affect me too much. I thought I’d judged the re-start in round 17 to perfection as I saw Danny struggling a little through the last corner but it turns out that wasn’t the case.” Third place in round 18 Tordoff said: “I’m very pleased to be on the podium again after Snetterton. In round 17 I made one or two mistakes which cost me but I was more controlled in round 18. Phil and Danny were just too quick for me though.”
NEWSHAM SECURES MAIDEN WIN AS GLEW EDGES EVER CLOSER TO TITLE CROWN
Former Legends racer Newsham took the honours in round 15, held on Saturday, 29th August, followed by an equally impressive second place in Sunday’s round 16 – shown live on ITV4 – to round off a fantastic weekend for the 42-year-old. Glew meanwhile mirrored Newsham’s efforts over the action-packed weekend to move 111-points clear of nearest rival Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall (Carlisle) with just four rounds left to play out. Despite damaging his title prospects with a retirement in round 16, 18-year-old MacDowall did take some consolation with a podium finish in Saturday’s race while JHR Development’s Tom Carnaby (Scunthorpe) took the remaining podium spot – his best result of the season – and ending a good weekend for first-year drivers. Glew edges ever closer to title win...
As the light went out for the start of the 18-lap race, Carnaby took full advantage of his grid position to lead into Copse followed by Glew and Newsham as the remaining field jostled for position. A spin by Pattison at the first corner though caused his car to make contact with both Colburn and Coastal Racing’s Ant Scragg (Tunbridge Wells) ending their races and forcing the Clerk of the Course to deploy the Safety Car at the end of the first lap. MacDowall was also court up in the incident giving him a damaged radiator and forcing him to retire. When racing resumed on lap six, with the race distance increased to 21 laps, Carnaby led followed by Glew, Newsham, JHR Development’s Andrew Herron (County Down) and Total Control Racing’s Daniel Lloyd (Huddersfield). Carnaby’s lead was short lived however as the inexperienced racer went too cautiously into Becketts allowing Glew to slip by on the inside with Newsham following suit at Brooklands dropping Tom to third and then fifth a few laps later after running wide at Copse. Meanwhile behind a great battle was developing between Herron and Lloyd for fourth and fifth places with the two making contact at Brooklands on lap 10 resulting in Herron losing places. The close racing continued throughout the field and by the halfway stage Glew was leading from Newsham followed by the three-car-train of Team Pyro’s Aron Smith (Dublin), who had earlier moved into third, Lloyd and Carnaby. Sixth and seventh placed Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley (Morecambe) and TCR’s Sam Tordoff (Leeds) – who recently scored a double podium at Circuit Zolder competing in the Belgium Clio Cup Championship – were also battling hard. Two thirds race distance completed and Glew and Newsham began to edge away while behind the positions were changing almost every lap with Lloyd now moving into a podium finish followed by Carnaby and Smith. With places swapping so frequently, the only sureties looked to be the two front runners with the 26-year-old Glew developing more a second advantage over his Inverness challenger. Four laps remained as the battle for the podium continued with Carnaby seizing on a gap left by Lloyd at Becketts to snatch the place with Lloyd shortly dropping down the order to seventh and moving Smith into fourth. Bradley, now in fifth, was still managing to keep a determined Tordoff in his mirrors despite the 20-year-old’s best efforts. On the last lap Glew was on course for his eighth win of the season which he duly gained finishing just under three seconds ahead of Newsham who together with his win on Saturday rounded off a great weekend. Carnaby crossed the line in third to grab his first podium with Smith in fourth and Bradley in fifth. A late dash by Gaffney grabbed eighth place from Herron with just 0.004s separating the two drivers. Meanwhile Robinson – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – had worked his way from the back of the grid – due to a spin in qualifying – to finish a respectable 10th as well as secure the NGK fastest lap and a new lap record with a time of 1m 05.502s (90.07mph average). However, following a post race investigation by the Clerk of the Course, Lloyd was handed both a time and a points penalty demoting the rookie racer to ninth.
Newsham celebrates maiden win...
Despite a good start by Newsham, Glew was just able to keep hold of the inside line going into Copse and emerge as race leader as behind the packed field of drivers tried to improve their position. By the end of the first lap, Glew was out in front followed by Newsham and then Smith although the Irish racer had deemed to have incorrectly lined up on the start grid, handing him a drive-through penalty. Seventeen-year-old Carnaby was looking strong in fourth with MacDowall in fifth after starting ninth on the gird. In the opening stages, Glew was trying hard to pull away from Newsham but the Amery Motorsport driver was able to match him for pace. Behind, Carnaby had moved into a podium finish after Smith had served his penalty although the teenager was now having to defend from the challenges of MacDowall. Meanwhile in the midfield, first-year drivers Elite Motorsport’s Jake Packun (Bolton), Colburn and Lloyd were all running well with Lloyd in particular looking quick and briefly setting the NGK fastest lap before Robinson took the honours. Out in front, Newsham was gaining on Glew in the battle for the lead while just behind, MacDowall was now right on the back of Carnaby’s Clio. The Scunthorpe driver tried hard to keep MacDowall at bay but Alex got a good run out of Woodcote on lap 11 to go side-by-side over the start/finish line and slip by him on the inside of Copse. With Pattison comfortable in fifth, the rookie battle behind was continuing to intensify with Lloyd now into sixth, Packun in seventh and Colburn in eighth. The action was just as close up front as on lap 15 of 18, Glew left a slight gap at Brooklands allowing Newsham to draw alongside. The two drivers then went side-by-side exiting the corner with a title-focused Glew choosing to yield. Newsham, leading his first ever Clio race, was able to keep Glew in his rear view mirrors for the remaining few laps and with the chequered flag insight, he crossed the line to take his first win along with the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day award. Glew settled for second with MacDowall taking the remaining podium spot after making up six places. Carnaby picked up fourth with Pattison rounding off the top five. Despite starting last, Robinson ended up with a respectable 11 points from a 12th place finish together with two points for the NGK fastest lap. A post race investigation by the Clerk of the Course saw Packun and Herron both handed time penalties, dropping them to eighth and 10th places respectively. Commenting on his performance at the weekend a delighted Newham said: “It’s been a fantastic weekend for me and credit has to go to the team for doing a great job on the car. In round 15 I got a good run out of Brooklands and Phil gave me enough room to get through to move into the lead. In Sunday’s race Tom left a gap and I managed to get by to take the place. I’m really looking forward to the next rounds at Rockingham at it’s a circuit I enjoy and performed well on in last year’s Winter Cup.” Commenting on his weekend, championship leader Glew said: “I’m delighted with how things have gone and I’m really starting to think about the championship now. In Saturday’s race Dave had been gaining on me for a couple of laps and then through Luffield he’d been able to brake later and get the run on me for the lead. In round 16 Tom was a little hesitant on the restart and I managed to pass him early on and claim the win which I haven’t done for a while.” Commenting after his third place in round 15 MacDowall said: "I got a good start and managed to make up a few places early on and suddenly found myself in fourth. I got the run on Carnaby out of the last corner and over the start/finish line and held the line going into Copse to pass him. It’s a good result for me but disappointed not to have qualified higher up which meant I wasn’t in a position to challenge Phil.” Third place in round 16 Carnaby added: “I’m absolutely over the moon with the podium! I knew it would be tough with so many good drivers around me and I did make some mistakes, especially at the restart where I was just too cautious. I’ve shown I’ve got the pace though this weekend and delighted with the result.”
ROOKIE RACER TORDOFF SECURES MAIDEN WIN AT SNETTERTON
Team-mate and championship hopeful Alex MacDowall took the honours in round 13 making a great weekend for West-Midlands based TCR which now sees them just 24-points behind Team Pyro in the entrants’ standings. Meanwhile championship leader Team Pyro’s Phil Glew had a characteristically strong weekend securing a third (round 13) and second-place to give the 26-year-old racer a 76-point lead in the drivers’ standings over nearest-rival MacDowall. The final podium spot went to Northern Irish racer Andrew Herron racing for JHR Developments. The weekend was also the first time the new Clio Cup race car, based on the road-going Clio Renaultsport 200 and featuring an improved bodykit and wishbone design, had been used at a BTCC meeting.
Tordoff races to maiden victory...
As the lights went out for the start of the 16-lap race, Tordoff kept his cool to get the better start and lead the field into the first corner with MacDowall and Glew going side-by-side. MacDowall briefly held second place until Glew darted up the inside at the Esses on lap one to claim the place pushing Alex to third with Herron in fourth and Total Control Racing’s Mike Robinson in fifth. Elite Motorsport’s Jake Packun was also running strong in sixth. On lap four, MacDowall, eager to reclaim his second place, tried to pass Glew on the inside going into Russell but outbraked himself forcing the 18-year-old to go straight on and allowing Herron to move into third. In the midfield, a great battle was developing between Team Pyro’s Aron Smith and JHR Development’s Tom Carnaby with the two nose-to-tail through the chicane. Just ahead, Westbourne Motorsport with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s James Colburn and Total Control Racing’s Daniel Lloyd were also challenging hard to be inside the top ten. By the halfway stage, the leading four cars of Tordoff, Glew, Herron and MacDowall had now pulled away from fifth place Robinson while sixth place Packun was coming under increasing pressure from Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham. The pressure eventually proved to be too much for Packun who spun in the run into the Esses on lap 12 handing the place to the former Legends racer. Out in front, a focused Tordoff was looking confident as he led the four car train around the 1.9520-mile circuit. Second-place Glew tried hard to find a way passed although also keeping one eye on the challenges of Herron and fourth-place MacDowall who earlier had set the NGK fastest lap with a time of 1min 18.085s (89.99mph average) earning him two extra championship points. As the race entered the final stages, there was little daylight between the four leading cars with each driver waiting for the other to make a mistake. Tordoff, who’d looked promising all weekend, didn’t put a foot wrong, cleanly exiting Russell for the last time before crossing the line to take the chequered flag and his maiden Clio Cup win – along with the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day award. Glew, Herron and MacDowall all followed with just over half a second separating the four drivers. Robinson, who’d spent much of the race on his own, crossed the line in fifth with Newsham in sixth. Despite crossing the line in ninth, a post race investigation by the Clerk of the Course deemed that Lloyd had cut part of the circuit handing the 17-year-old a time penalty and dropping him two places to 11th.
MacDowall on top in round 13...
As the lights went out, the rain which had been threatening all afternoon began to fall, although that didn’t stop MacDowall taking full advantage of his pole position to lead the field into Riches followed by Glew who had slipped into second after a slow start by Tordoff. As the midfield pack jostled for position going into the first corner, contact between Lloyd, Packun and Team Pyro’s Alex Dew caused all three drivers to spin and forcing the Safety Car to be deployed at the start of lap two. The opening lap still allowed Smith to make up ground to move into fourth while Herron lost four places to lie in eighth. Racing resumed on lap four with the race distance extended to 18 laps. MacDowall made the most of the restart to lead from Glew and Tordoff closely followed by Smith, Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley and Range Storage Ltd with Coastal Racing’s Lee Pattison. By lap eight, a determined Glew was close enough to challenge for MacDowall’s lead but in doing so he allowed Tordoff to catch with the first year driver also setting the NGK fastest lap on the same lap. Meanwhile behind the front runners, Pattison had been able to pass Bradley at Riches to move into fifth with Herron also making up a place to move into seventh. As the race continued, the rain began to increase making track conditions tricky, so much so that it caused race leader MacDowall to go sideways into the Esses allowing Glew to move into the lead. Phil had little time to settle into his new position though as the next lap he too got out of shape at the Esses allowing not just MacDowall but a waiting Tordoff to slip by. The championship leader tried hard to make amends in the subsequent laps but the continuing rain made conditions very difficult for all drivers who had started the race on slick tyres. With no improvement in the weather, the Clerk of the Cause called a halt to proceedings for reasons of safety, deploying the red flag after 13 laps and leaving MacDowall to take victory with Tordoff in a deserved second to give a one-two for Total Control Racing. Glew finished third with Pattison eventually coming fourth after finding a way passed Smith with Herron settling for sixth. Amery Motorsport’s Robert Gaffney also impressed in the round making up eight places to finish 10th and earn the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day. Commenting on his performance at the weekend Tordoff said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend for me and TCR. When we arrived here before the weekend I would have been happy with a top 10 finish so I never once thought I’d be standing on the winning step of the podium! I was a little too cautious in round 13 and didn’t get the best of starts but managed to hang on. In round 14, it was really tough keeping Glew behind me but it was mainly a case of not making any mistakes and trusting the set up of the car which has been spot on.” Commenting after his win in round 13 MacDowall said: “The conditions were really tricky especially through the Esses where a lot of it was in shadow. It was a good race though and despite going sideways through the Esses which allowed Glew through, he outbraked himself the next lap to hand back the lead. This win has certainly helped my championship hopes but I really need Phil to have a couple of bad rounds.” Championship leader Glew, commenting on his weekend, said: “In round 13 MacDowall was pushing too hard through the Esses which allowed me to go through but the next lap the rain increased and I carried too much speed into the same corner which allowed Sam and Alex to pass. In Sunday’s race [round 13] Sam drove really well and I was conscious to play it safe rather than risk a move which could see me spin out. The weekend has certainly shown that TCR are getting quicker though.” Herron, who finished third in round 14, commented: “Snetterton is one of the hardest tracks to pass on so it’s often a case of waiting for the driver in front to make a mistake which in this case just never came. I had good pace this weekend and pleased to come away with a podium and more championship points.”
HODGETTS TAKES DOUBLE AT MEMORABLE WORLD SERIES WEEKEND
A total crowd of 135,000 attended Renault’s free two-day motorsport festival with 85,000 spectators – the highest ever at a Clio Cup meeting – turning out on Sunday to watch the 2007 Clio Cup runner-up take a clean sweep of the honours. Championship leader Team Pyro’s Phil Glew picked up a podium and a sixth place to continue his reign at the top and stretch his lead over Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall – who endured a disastrous weekend – to 79-points. There were also podiums for DTR’s Stephen Tyldsley, his first of the season, with a sublime drive in round 11 to take third along with JHR Development’s Andrew Herron and Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham who finished second and third respectively in round 12. The weekend was also the inaugural outing for the new Clio Cup race car which is based on the road-going Clio Renaultsport 200 and features an upgraded bodykit and new wishbone design.
Hodgetts secures double... In front of a packed World Series crowd, Michelin pole-sitter MacDowall led the 24-car field onto the grid for the start of round 12. Alongside Alex sat Glew, still yet to start a race away from the front row, with 27-year-old Hodgetts in third. Reigning Clio Cup Champion Ben Winrow (Northampton) – racing on his local circuit for Team Pyro – qualified in sixth after choosing to return to the one-make series. Hodgetts made a lightning start to shoot straight into the lead with Glew just holding onto second with Herron in third as MacDowall was bumped down the order. The opening lap saw a determined Glew try several times to grab the lead from Hodgetts with the two drivers nose to tail but Phil was unable to find a way through. Meanwhile, by the end of the first lap Newsham was making strong progress after moving up to fifth from eighth on the gird and now chasing the back of Winrow’s Clio which in turn was right up with the back of Herron’s car. On lap three, Hodgetts missed a gear at Vale which forced Glew to make slight contact with the back of his car, losing momentum and allowing Herron and Newsham to slip by. Winrow was also forced wide in the process as Glew tried to recover. The next lap also saw Tyldsley and Westborne Motorsport with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s James Colburn get ahead of the championship leader dropping him down to sixth.
As the race continued, Herron was creeping ever closer to the back of Hodgetts Clio while Colburn, the youngest driver in the field at 16 – who was also awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – was being tested to the limit by the experienced championship leader. In the midfield, Total Control Racing team-mates Daniel Lloyd and Sam Tordoff were running well in seventh and 10th places with Sam also setting the NGK fastest lap of the race with a time of 2mins 10.627s (141.6kph average). On the last lap, Herron made one last push to take the lead and his first Clio Cup win of 2009 but the experienced Hodgetts made his car as wide as possible to keep the 21-year-old in his mirrors and take his second win of the day and the season. Newsham took third with Tyldsley rounding off his best weekend with fourth and Colburn in fifth. Glew settled for sixth with MacDowall only managing 18th.
Action-packed round 11...
As the lights went out, both Glew and MacDowall (pictured right) made good starts to go side-by-side as they headed towards Copse but as the two drivers battled for track position, a gap opened up for third place Hodgetts to squeeze through and take the lead. More drama unfolded on the opening lap as Glew and MacDowall tried hard to make amends but allowed Winrow to move into second and Newsham into third in the process with Phil and Alex now fourth and fifth. Despite starting 10th on the grid, Tyldsley had made a great start to move into seventh place by the end of the first lap ahead of Amery Motorsport’s Robert Gaffney who had been unable to make the most of one of his best qualifying positions. The action continued in the early stages with challenges taking place for every position, while at the front, Herron and Tyldsley had been able to pass MacDowall at Chapel Curve while Glew had been able to re-take third place from Newsham. In the midfield there was great action between Team Pyro’s Aron Smith and Lloyd who was making strong progress despite starting 18th on the grid. By lap four of the 12 lap race, Hodgetts was still out in front but behind him places were changing frequently. Glew was able to pass Winrow to move into second with Ben now coming under increasing pressure from Tyldsley who was now in fourth after a retirement from Newsham – caused as him, Glew and Winrow went three abreast into Abbey – allowed him through. As Hodgetts started his seventh lap he had a sizeable cushion over second place Glew followed by the Guiseley racer who was now in third after passing Winrow at Priory with a superb manoeuvre. This now meant Winrow was facing the challenges of MacDowall with the two battling hard causing contact to be made at Luffield and ending both their races shortly after. As the race progressed, Glew – who also took the NGK fastest lap – had been able to reduce Hodgett’s lead so that the two returning drivers were now battling end to end. Tyldsley was running strong in third followed by Herron in fourth, with Range Storage with Coastal Racing’s Lee Pattison in fifth and Lloyd, who was having one of his best races of the season, in sixth. On the penultimate lap, Glew, who was now right behind Hodgett’s Clio, was able to pass the 27-year-old as they headed into Copse due to Stefan suffering from what later transpired to be an electrical fault with the master switch. Stefan was able to retake the place though on the exit to the same corner. The two continued to battle on the last lap but Hodgetts held on to take the chequered flag and his first win of 2009. Glew took second followed by Tyldsley – who was jointly awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day along with Lloyd – with Herron in fourth and Pattison in fifth. Lloyd came home in sixth after making up 12 places. Commenting on his performance for the weekend, Hodgetts said: “I managed to pull out a lead in round 11 but my car developed a problem towards the end of the race when it kept turning itself off. I managed to hold on though and take my first win. Round 12 was another great race and was more a case of just not making any mistakes.” Championship leader Glew said of his weekend: “I was a little disappointed with the start in round 11, especially as I was positioned on the outside line despite getting pole. It was a great race though and for once I was thinking about the championship and where Alex was in the race. Round 12 just didn’t go my way but we still managed to come away with plenty of points.” Commenting on his third place in round 11, Tyldsley said: “It wasn’t my best start all season but I battled my way through and was determined to pass Ben for a podium spot. I didn’t expect to be on the podium, especially starting 10th, but the car was running really well.” Second place in round 12 Herron added: “I’m still chasing that illusive first victory but hopefully it will come soon! Stefan is very experienced and I just couldn’t find a way pass.” Podium finisher in round 12 Newsham said: “I’m really pleased with how things have gone this weekend, especially after not finishing in the earlier race. The whole event has been amazing and great to be cheered on by so many people.”
GLEW AND MACDOWALL OUT IN FRONT AT HALFWAY STAGE
MacDowall secured a lights-to-flag victory in Saturday’s round nine followed by a second place in Sunday’s round 10, a feat matched by Glew and which now sees the two drivers leading the field at the halfway stage with just 34 points separating Phil from Alex. The weekend also saw two third place finishes for JHR Development’s Stefan Hodgetts who was making a return to the series driving in Mark Hazell’s car. As well as marking the halfway stage in the one-make championship, the weekend was also the last time the current Clio car will be used before the new shape, based on the road-going Clio Renaultsport 200, is unveiled at World Series by Renault on 4th/5th July (rounds 11 and 12). Glew sticks to the front... Following Saturday’s qualifying session it was MacDowall who held the Michelin pole-position for round 10 on Sunday afternoon with Glew, still yet to start a race away from the front row, alongside him. A packed crowd both at the circuit and watching live on ITV4, waited in anticipation for lights to go out for the start of the 12-lap race. Glew made the better start to lead the field into Clervaux with MacDowall in second and Hodgetts moving into third from fifth on the gird demoting Total Control Racing’s Mike Robinson to fourth. PH Motorsport’s Phil House, returning to the championship to compete at his home circuit, was unable to make the most of his fourth place start, dropping well down the order on the opening lap. After a disappointing race in round nine, JHR Development’s Andrew Herron – currently third in the drivers’ standings – was running well in eighth from 16th on the grid. Race leader Glew pushed hard in the early stages although MacDowall was eager to regain the place with Hodgetts, who finished runner-up in the 2007 Clio Cup championship, running strongly in third. In the midfield, Team Pyro’s Aron Smith was coming under increasing pressure from Herron with the 21-year-old Northern Ireland racer eventually getting the better of him a few laps later. DTR’s Stephen Tyldsley was also running well in 10th competing on his home track – one of five Yorkshire drivers. Contact between Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley and Mardi Gras Motorsport’s David Dickenson saw damage to the front of Bradley’s car causing the Clerk of the Course to issue him the black and orange flag. Carl continued to race though until he was blacked flagged and, following a post race investigation, the 24-year-old racer was subsequently excluded for failing to comply. Out in front, Glew continued to set the pace while behind the front runners, contact was made between Amery Motorsport’s David Shepherd, Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s Patrick Collins and Westbourne Motorsport with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s James Colburn) on the exit to the Chicane on lap seven. As the leading pair passed through on the next lap, spilt oil left by the cars, caused both to run wide but giving MacDowall the chance to pass Glew for the lead which he did as they entered Tower. MacDowall’s lead was short lived however, as a determined Glew darted up the inside on the approach to the Hairpin – the tightest of any UK circuit – on the same lap to retake his lead. The tussel however allowed Hodgetts to gain slightly on the leading pair with Robinson and fifth place Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham also making slight gains. On the last lap, MacDowall mounted one last challenge for the lead at the Hairpin but championship leader Glew – who was also awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day –defended the racing line to hold onto the place and secure his seventh win together with the NGK fastest lap for maximum championship points. MacDowall was forced to settle for second with Hodgetts rounding off a good weekend in third.
MacDowall leads the way...
Contact between Herron and Range Storage Ltd with Coastal Racing’s Lee Pattison at Tower in the early stages also saw an early end to their races. By the end of the first few laps MacDowall was starting to pull away from Glew with Hodgetts passing Robinson for third, Bradley running well in fifth and Newsham in sixth. As the opening three cars began to extend their lead over the chasing pack, the midfield battle was hotting up with Lloyd passing Newsham to move into sixth with the 17-year-old now chasing the back of Bradley’s Clio for a top five spot. It wasn’t long before the Huddersfield racer had his chance running side-by-side with Bradley as they crossed the start/finish line on lap 10, with Bradley, who held the racing line, just holding on to the place. With the race nearing its 12 lap distance, there was no change up front with Glew unable to get close enough to MacDowall to mount an effective challenge and Hodgetts content in third. Meanwhile, the battle in the midfield was still undecided with seventh place Newsham getting a good run out of the Hairpin on the penultimate lap to go side-by-side with sixth place Lloyd. Daniel – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – just managed to hold on to the place though as the field started their final lap. Out in front, MacDowall had now developed a comfortable lead over Glew to secure his second win of the season – along with the NGK fastest lap to secure two bonus points – with Phil taking second and Hodgetts picking up his first podium in only his first race of 2009. Robinson took fourth continuing his strong run from Oulton Park with Bradley rounding off the top five. Lloyd picked up his best result of the season so far with sixth as did Tyldsley with eighth. Commenting on his performance for the weekend Glew said: “Alex [MacDowall] is certainly getting quicker and TCR have certainly given him a good car this weekend but I’m still picking up points and protecting my lead in the championship. In Saturday’s race, Alex was able to pull away from me on the straight and just seemed to have more pace than me. We were much more on the pace in Sunday’s race but when Alex took the lead I just had to take it back and made my move at the Hairpin which thankfully came off.” Commenting on his weekend, MacDowall said: “Glew got a good start in round nine but I kept foot in to lead into the first corner. After that it was quite an easy race and just a case of keeping my head down. The car was running fantastic which is down to the team who decided to change it after we discovered a problem in Friday’s free practice. Sunday’s race was another good battle between us with Glew just getting the better off me.” Double podium finisher Hodgetts, said: “I’m really pleased with the two podiums this weekend especially as I’m a little rusty to Clio racing! Phil and Alex were just so quick though meaning I never really got close enough to challenge.”
MACDOWALL SECURES FIRST WIN AS GLEW EXTENDS LEAD
Eighteen-year old MacDowall secured a lights-to-flag victory in round seven held on Saturday, 30th May followed by second place in round eight, on 31st May. Glew mirrored Alex’s performance by taking a win in round eight and a second in round seven, as well as both NGK fastest lap awards earning him four bonus championship points to continue his position at the top of the drivers’ standings. The weekend also saw Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham and Total Control Racing’s Mike Robinson pick up their first podiums of the season with two third places. Glew back on top in round eight...
As the lights went out on the sun-soaked circuit, it was Glew who made the best start to lead the field into Old Hall followed by MacDowall and Robinson. Team Pyro’s Aron Smith also made a good start to see him in fifth place by the end of the opening lap chasing Newsham in fourth. Glew looked to be making light work of the race until he locked up entering Hislop’s on lap two forcing him to cut across the grass and allowing the Carlisle racer – who recently finished second in an international Clio race held at the Nürburgring circuit – to close right up. In the midfield, a close battle was taking place between Newsham, Smith and Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley who had also made up ground after starting on row five of the grid. As the race progressed Newsham and Smith continued to jostle for position while JHR Development’s Andrew Herron was able to get ahead of Bradley. Herron then handed back two places after running wide at Lodge Corner. As the leading pair of Glew and MacDowall continued to battle, behind them Herron, Total Control Racing’s Sam Tordoff and Mardi Gras Motorsport’s David Dickenson went three abreast exiting Island Bend on lap eight of the 12 lap race. With neither driver willing to yield, contact was made by all drivers with Tordoff and Dickenson going into the tyre wall and ending their race. Herron continued on albeit with a damaged car. With the two cars in a dangerous position, the Clerk of the Course was forced to deploy the Safety Car. However, after just one Safety Car lap, the race was red flagged and stopped inside the full distance due it nearing its allotted time allocation following a late start, combined with Outlon Park’s curfew. That left Glew – who also took the NGK fastest lap – to secure his sixth win with MacDowall picking up second. Robinson – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – finished third to give the 26-year-old racer his first visit to the podium. Despite spinning off due to his damaged car, Herron was still racing when the Safety Car was deployed and awarding him ninth. MacDowall finally takes the top step...
Just a few laps in, MacDowall was already pulling away from Glew, while behind the front runners, a mistake by Smith at Hislop’s on lap five caused him to spin and see an early end to the Irish racer’s podium chances. The next lap saw APO Sport’s Alex Osborne clip the curb at the same place putting his car into a roll before landing upright. Osborne was unhurt, but with debris on the track the Clerk of the Course was forced to deploy the Safety Car. Under Safety Car conditions, Glew was able to undue MacDowall’s earlier good work before racing resumed on lap 10 with the race distance increased to 15 laps. MacDowall made the most of his first ever restart as the race leader to lead once more followed by Glew, Newsham and Herron. As the race progressed, Glew continued to press hard, catching the 18-year-old under braking only for MacDowall to pull away on the straights. In the battle for the top five, a mistake by Tordoff going into Old Hall allowed both Robinson and Bradley to pass dropping him down to seventh and facing the challenges of eighth place Daniel Lloyd, now running in the Total Control Racing car. On the last lap, Glew made one final push to snatch the lead from MacDowall but Alex made his car as wide as possible for the remainder of the lap to claim his first Clio Cup victory by just 0.301s together with the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day. Glew was forced to settle for second but an earlier NGK fastest lap (1min 35.484s, 83.92mph average) - also setting a new lap record - earned him two bonus points to cap Alex’s final tally. Newsham took third for his first podium with Herron in fourth and Robinson in fifth. Commenting on his performance for the weekend, a delighted Phil Glew said: “This weekend has gone absolutely fantastic and it’s great to get my momentum going again. In Saturday’s race I was just waiting for Alex to make a mistake but it never came and it’s just so hard to pass here. Today’s race was going smoothly until I locked up going into Hislop’s. I think there was oil or something on the track but I made sure I got the next four corners spot on.” Round seven winner MacDowall said: “I got a good start to take the lead and from then on I just tried to keep a cool head. I’ve never done a restart as leader before so when the Safety Car came out I knew it would be tough but I managed to keep Phil [Glew] in my mirrors for the rest of the race. I think the result in round eight could have been different had there been more laps as Phil was struggling a bit towards the end but I’m still pleased with how things have gone.” Newsham, who finished third in round seven, added: “This podium has been long overdue! I had a nightmare meeting at Donington Park with two DNS so this really makes up for it.” Third place in round eight, Robinson, said: “I’m very pleased to be on the podium. I’ve always gone well here at Oulton Park and this makes up for a disappointing start to the season.”
SMITH ENDS GLEW’S UNBEATEN RUN AT DONINGTON PARK Irish racer breaks 100% record...
Michelin pole-sitter Glew – who has yet to begin a race away from the front row – also chose to opt for the slick/wet combination but was given a 30 second time penalty for taking too long to change tyres on the grid. As the lights went out it was MacDowall who made the better start to lead the field only for Glew – who was now classified well down the order due to his time penalty – to retake the place. Smith, who began the race on row three (who was also on slicks and wets) had moved into second ahead of Amery Motorpsort’s Dave Newsham and Pattison with Herron, who had chosen to run on full slicks, dropping down to fifth. In the midfield, Total Control Racing’s Sam Tordoff and Mike Robinson and Elite Motorsport’s Jake Packun were all running well in the battle to be inside the top 10 with Herron still struggling to find grip. The race continued with Glew leading the field yet, due to his time penalty, was in 16th place. Newsham who had been running well in third made a mistake going into Goddards causing him to spin and ending a disappointing weekend for the Inverness driver after also failing to finish in round five. Lap five saw Packun who was running in fourth - the highest he’d been in a Clio race – spin off dropping him down the order with Glew also running wide at the Old Hairpin adding to his troubles. As the race progressed the track continued to dry allowing Herron to make full use of his tyre choice. MacDowall (also on the slick/wet combo) was also now catching race leader Smith. Behind the front runners, Coastal Racing’s Robert Gaffney was showing great form having moved up to sixth from 21st on the grid and still pressing. With the race entering the final stages, it was Herron who was now lapping quickest with the 20-year-old setting the NGK Fastest Lap with a time of 1min 19.945s (88.13mph average). Herron’s surge came too late though handing the chequered flag to Smith to claim his first Clio victory this season and end Glew’s 100% record. MacDowall was forced to settle for second with Pattison in third. Gaffney - who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day - collected his best result of the season in fifth. Commenting after round six, a delighted Smith said: “I’m over the moon with my first win. It’s a massive boost in confidence and great to see Phil’s record finally broken as all the drivers thought it was never going to end! It was a real tough race though and tyre choice made such a difference.” Second place from round six, MacDowall said: “I guess full slicks might have worked best and I was a little too cautious on the first corner. Smith drove really well though and I just couldn’t find a way past him.” Pattison added: “This podium result has been a long time coming. We ran well last year and now we’re finally on the pace this season.”
Glew makes it five from five...
Racing resumed on lap five with the race distance increased to 16 laps. Glew got away cleanly to lead once more while behind him, Herron was able to pass Bradley to retake third at Coppice. As the race progressed, the front runners of Glew, MacDowall and Herron began to pull away from fourth placed Bradley, with Herron setting the NGK Fastest Lap on lap six with a time of 1min 18.901s (89.30mph average) and a new lap record. In the midfield a battle was developing for sixth, seventh and eighth, between Team Pyro’s Daniel Lloyd, Pattison and Alex Dew who was running well in his Team Pyro car after starting 17th. Gaffney was also running strong in 11th having started 20th. By lap 11 the three car train of Glew, MacDowall and Herron was unexpectedly interrupted when a mistake by MacDowall at McLeans allowed Herron to move into second. With the race entering the final few laps, the rain which had been threatening all race, began to fall testing all drivers to the limit. Lloyd, who been running strongly in seventh place, ran onto the grass dropping him down the order to 13th with Dew – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day for his performance – now in seventh. As Glew entered Goddards for the last time Herron was now too far behind to challenge. Behind though, the action was far from over as MacDowall got a poor run out of the chicane allowing Bradley to just pip the 18-year-old to third by a mere 0.023s. Commenting after round five, race winner and championship leader Glew said: “It’s just been a fantastic start to the season and I don’t know when it’s going to end. The first race was really hard; not so much in the dry but when it started raining everything changed, but I think my experience helped and to win five on the trot is just amazing.” A frustrated Herron, still looking for his first win, said: “It’s coming! The team has given me a fantastic car but qualifying is just so important in Clio racing and we just weren’t quick enough to be on the front row. I have to admit I’m getting a bit sick of always being on the bottom steps of the podium!” A delighted Bradley added: “It’s amazing to finally make it onto the podium. Last year I got seven fourth places and was expecting better things this season but it’s been a slow start for us.”
GLEW MAKES IT FOUR WINS FROM FOUR
The 25-year-old driver racing in his second Clio Cup season increased his championship lead by taking victory in round three on Saturday, 25th April followed by a lights-to-flag win in round four -- broadcast live on ITV4 -- on Sunday, 26th April. Total Control Racing's Alex MacDowall and Team Pyro's Aron Smith both ended the weekend with a second place each in rounds three and four respectively, while JHR Development's Andrew Herron completed the podium line-up with two third places. A dry track greeted competitors for the start of round three. Following the earlier qualifying session, Glew held the Michelin Pole Position with Amery Motorsport's Dave Newsham alongside him on the front row. As the starting lights went out, Glew made a poor start allowing Newsham to lead the field into the first corner with Glew in second. Despite only qualifying in eighth, 18-year-old MacDowall made a great start to move up the field pushing Smith and Total Control Racing's Mike Robinson down the order with Herron also gaining a place from fifth on the grid. As the field entered the Complex for the first time, Glew made a move on Newsham to take the lead, while a late braking manoeuvre from MacDowall moved him into second with Newsham now in third, closely followed by Herron, Smith and Robinson. Meanwhile behind the front runners, contact between Team Pyro team-mates Mark Hazell and Alex Dew, APO Sport's Alex Osborne, Amery Motorsport's David Shepherd and Jake Packun -- now racing in the Elite Motorsport car, as they all tried to make up places, saw an early end to their races and with the cars in a dangerous position the Clerk of the Course deployed the Safety Car at the end of lap one. With the cars safely removed, racing resumed on lap seven with the race extended to 15 laps. Glew got away well from the Safety Car to lead once more, while Herron used the restart to his advantage to get ahead of Newsham at Club to take third with Smith and Robinson in pursuit. Shortly after the restart, Robert Gaffney was forced to pit after he was shown the black and orange flag for dangerous bodywork sustained in the earlier incident on lap one while a mechanical problem for Stancombe Vehicle Engineering's Patrick Collins forced him to retire. As the race progressed Glew began to pull away, developing a lead of 1.171s and also setting the NGK Fastest Lap time of 1min 24.255s (100.54mph average) to earn two extra championship points. Glew continued to push, closely followed by MacDowall and the three-car train of Herron, Newsham and Smith who were bumper-to-bumper in an attempt to take the final podium spot. In the midfield, Coastal Racing's Carl Bradley, Range Storage Ltd with Coastal Racing's Lee Pattison, Robinson and Team Pyro's Daniel Lloyd were all battling hard for position as was JHR Developments Steven Hunter who is the latest entry to the one-make series pushing registrations up to 26. By the closing stages, Glew had developed a comfortable lead, while second placed MacDowall was quickly being caught by the chasing pack of Herron, Newsham and Smith as a result of his fading tyres. On lap 14, Robinson, who had been running well in sixth tried to take fifth place Smith at Club but ran wide allowing Bradley and Pattison to squeeze through dropping him down to eighth. The last lap also saw Westbourne Motorsport with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering's James Colburn retire from the race after he made contact with Total Control Racing's Jamie Ackers. With the chequered flag in sight, MacDowall -- who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day - only just managed to hang on to second, handing Glew his third victory in a row and, with his NGK Fastest Lap, maximum championship points. Herron took the honours for the remaining podium spot with Newsham settling for fourth and Smith in fifth. Round four at the Hampshire circuit on Sunday was broadcast live on ITV4 as part of the channel's BTCC coverage. Glew again held the Michelin Pole Position but this time had team-mate Smith alongside him on the front row with Newsham and Robinson on row two. As the race got underway, Glew made amends for his poor start in round three to lead the field into the first corner with Newsham side-by-side with Smith in the battle for second and third. Robinson, who had qualified in fourth on the grid, lost two places as Herron and Total Control Racing's Sam Tordoff (Leeds) -- his best qualifying position so far -- were able to get passed. By the end of the first lap, Newsham had been able to take Smith for second but this was short lived as on the next lap he made mistake into the Complex dropping him down to fourth leaving Smith to regain his second place with Herron following through in third and Tordoff in fifth. MacDowall, who finished second in round three, wasn't having so much luck in race two dropping down the order to 10th after starting seventh although he was able to make up a place on lap six. With Smith concentrating on defending the advances of Herron, Glew began to pull away developing a lead of 1.205s by the halfway stage. Behind the front four, Robinson got a good run out of Club to take fifth place from Tordoff -- a move which was repeated by Pattison -- who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day -- on 16-year-old Colburn only for James to retake the position on the final lap. MacDowall, Bradley and Osborne continued to battle for a top 10 finish while with just three laps to go, Smith - who also set the NGK Fastest Lap with a 1min 24.194s (100.73mph average) - was now closing in on his team-mate. On the last lap, Smith was lining up an overtaking move as they headed into Club for the last time but an earlier spin by Team Pyro's Jeff Smith at the same corner brought out the yellow flag indicating no overtaking and forcing Smith to ease off. A determined Glew was then able to hang on to take his fourth win and extend his championship lead to 34 points ahead of second place Smith who now overtakes MacDowall in the drivers' standings. Herron took his consecutive third place of the meeting with Newsham again missing out on a podium to finish fourth with Robinson in fifth. Commentating after his performance, a delighted Glew said: "I honestly can't believe it! I didn't make a great start in the first race losing the lead but I managed to regain it at the Complex and from then it was just a case of keeping my head down. Today's race was even harder as Smith was really breathing down on me towards the last few laps but I managed to hold on." Commenting after his second place in round three, MacDowall said: "That was a really tough race. My head was down after a poor qualifying session but I got a great start to gain a few places and then braked late going into the Complex to squeeze into second. It was a real battle after that as my tyres were fading but I managed to hold off Herron." Double podium finisher Heron said: "It's good to come away with two third places, especially starting fifth on the grid for both but I'm really hungry for the win and know we're quick enough. We had the wrong set-up in qualifying which really cost us, so we'll be looking for a win at Donington." Commenting after round four, second place Smith said: "It's been a good weekend and I'm pleased to come away with a podium. It's hard to pass at Thruxton so I was waiting for Phil to make a mistake but it never came. It didn't help that there was a yellow flag at Club on the last lap either as I reckon I might have got him [Glew]."
GLEW TAKES DOUBLE WIN AT BRANDS HATCH
Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall, also in his second season of Clio racing, claimed two podiums during the weekend with a second and third place, while JHR Development’s Andrew Herron and Team Pyro’s Aron Smith picked up the rest of the honours with a podium a piece. With a dry track and sunny conditions, 25 drivers lined up on the grid in anticipation of round one on Saturday, 4th April and the start of the 2009 Clio Cup season. As the lights went out on the 20 lap race, MacDowall was unable to make the most of his pole position allowing fellow front-runner Glew to get ahead and lead the field going into Paddock Hill Bend. Herron and Smith also made good starts to lie in third and fourth, as did Range Storage Ltd with Coastal Racing’s Lee Pattison who made a fantastic start going from ninth to fifth. Further down the field, contact between JHR Development team-mates Mark Hazell and Tom Carnaby led to an early end to their races as the remaining 23 drivers made it safely through the first corner. By the end of the first lap, Pattison – who would go on to be awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day – had managed to clinch fourth having passed Smith at Clearways with Westbourne Motorsport with Colin Stancombe Engineering’s James Colburn in sixth followed by Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham and Total Control Racing’s Mike Robinson. As the race progressed, the leading pair of Glew and MacDowall pulled away from Herron after a lock-up at Clearways cost him time. Despite his poor start, MacDowall continued to battle hard, setting the fastest lap of the race – 52.885s (81.59mph average) and beating his own lap record set here last season – on lap four earning him two bonus points in the process. By the halfway stage on the 1.64-mile Kent circuit, MacDowall was still trying to regain the lead while further down the order, Robinson and Amery Motorsport’s David Shepherd were able to get pass Newsham to take seventh and eighth respectively with Newsham dropping to ninth. Team Pyro’s Alex Dew, APO Sport’s Alex Osborne and Mardi Gras Motorsport’s David Dickenson also battled for positions in the midfield. As the race neared the chequered flag, Smith tried to regain fourth place from Pattison with a move at Graham Hill Bend but was unable to pass. On the last lap, MacDowall made one last push to retake the lead but was forced to settle for second leaving Glew to take his first Clio Cup victory with Herron in third. A packed crowd greeted drivers for round two on Sunday, 5th April which was also being shown live on ITV4. With an identical front row from round one following qualifying on Saturday, Glew once again got the better start leading MacDowall into the first corner only for Alex to be passed by Smith at Druids to drop down to third. The race was quickly halted though as contact between Robinson and Shepherd at Paddock Hill Bend lead to Shepherd’s car being in a dangerous position resulting in the Clerk of the Course deploying the Safety Car. The race restarted
on lap four, having been extended to 23 laps, with MacDowall immediately
trying to re-take Smith leaving Glew to pull away, setting the fastest
lap of the race as a result. Further down the field Colburn, the
youngest driver in the field at 16 who was also awarded the ELF/Atol
Driver of the Day, was running well in fourth with Newsham, Pattison and
Team Pyro’s Daniel Lloyd On lap 10, contact between Robinson and Carnaby at Druids left both cars in an unsafe position causing the second Safety Car of the day to be deployed. Lap 10 also saw contact between Coastal Racing’s Carl Bradley and David Tyldsley Racing’s Stephen Tyldsley. Racing resumed on lap 16 with MacDowall again all over the back of Smith in the battle for second and third. His challenges were cut short however when the race was red flagged on lap 19 when it emerged that Stephen Tyldsley required medical attention following his earlier coming together with Bradley at Clearways, leaving Glew to take his second win of the weekend. Commenting after round two Glew said: “I got a fantastic start for both races and managed to pip Alex into Paddock Hill Bend but it was such hard work keeping him in my mirrors, especially in the first race. He tried to throw me a few dummies but I know Brands well and managed to hold him off to the flag.” Double podium finisher MacDowall said: “I’m pleased to come away with two podiums this weekend but disappointed at not converting my two pole positions in to something more. I did manage to set the fastest lap in race one though so managed to take two points off Phil and I know I need to work on my starts before the next rounds at Thruxton.” Third place Herron in round one said: “I locked up at Clearways early on and hurt my tyres which meant the leaders were able to pull away and I never managed to catch them.” Second place Smith from round two said: “Overall it’s been a good weekend for me although I’m disappointed with my fifth place in round one but the podium in the second race has certainly made up for that.”
pics . Jakob Ebrey Photography |
|
Champion
Phil Glew ended his 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin season as he
started with a double podium during the final two rounds at Kent’s
Brands Hatch GP circuit on 3rd/4th October . 
In
front of a packed Brands Hatch crowd, the final round of the 2009 Clio
Cup championship saw title winner Glew line up on the start grid as
Michelin pole-sitter – his eleventh of the season. Alongside lay
MacDowall while Total Control Racing’s Sam Tordoff and former Legends
Racer Newsham made up row two. 
Saturday’s
round 19 saw Glew as the Michelin pole-sitter with Gaffney producing his
best qualifying result of the season to go alongside him. MacDowall and
Herron occupied row two as the lights went out for the start of the
race. 
Northamptonshire’s
Silverstone National circuit provided the setting for two thrilling
rounds (15 and 16) of the 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin at the
weekend with Amery Motorsport’s Dave Newsham (Inverness) securing his
maiden Clio victory while championship leader Team Pyro’s Phil Glew (Tothill,
Lincolnshire) edged ever closer to the title crown. 
In
front of a packed Silverstone crowd, round 16 saw rookie-racer Carnaby
as Michelin pole-sitter, a first for the former Ginetta Junior racer and
showing the strength of this season’s first-year drivers. Glew lined up
alongside him followed by Range Storage Ltd with Coastal Racing’s Lee
Pattison (Liversedge), who won here in 2008, and Westbourne Motorsport
with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s James Colburn (Worthing) after
lapping in the 1m 05s during Saturday’s qualifying session – well under
the lap record for the 1.64-mile circuit (1m 06.247s). Title hopeful
MacDowall was down in seventh after a disappointing session which the
Carlisle racer put down to problems with his car’s dampers. 
Saturday’s
round 15 saw Glew in familiar territory as Michelin pole-sitter, his
seventh of the season, with Newsham alongside him on the front row. 
Total
Control Racing’s Sam Tordoff produce two superb drives during rounds 13
and 14 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin at Norfolk’s Snetterton
circuit on August 1st/2nd to secure his maiden victory in the one-make
series. The 20-year-old, who’s the grandson of famous rally driver Jack
Tordoff, claimed a lights-to-flag victory in round 14 held on Sunday,
2nd August together with a second-place during Saturday’s action-packed
round 13. 
In
front of a packed Snetterton crowd and a live television audience,
Tordoff lined the start grid as Michelin pole-sitter for the start of
round 14 – already a season first for the Leeds racer who until this
season had raced in karts. MacDowall joined Tordoff on the front row,
forcing Glew to the second row for the first time this year. 
Saturday’s
round 13 saw MacDowall line the start grid as Michelin pole-sitter after
lapping inside the circuit record during the day’s earlier qualifying
session. Tordoff once again joined MacDowall on the front row with Glew
in third.
Mardi
Gras Motorsport’s Stefan Hodgetts produced two superb drives in front of
a record breaking World Series crowd to secure a double victory during
two action-packed rounds (11 and 12) of the 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup
with Michelin at Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on 4th/5th July 
By
the halfway stage, Hodgetts was making steady progress as race leader
while second place Herron worked hard to close the gap. Newsham, now in
third, had the luxury of a sizeable cushion before the three car train
of Tyldsley, Colburn and Glew. MacDowall was unexpectedly lying in 17th
place as he struggled to find his rhythm. 
The
day’s earlier race was just as exciting for the 85,000 strong crowd.
This time Glew led the way as the Michelin pole-sitter with MacDowall
for company on the front row. 
Team
Pyro’s Phil Glew and Total Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall took a win
and a second place apiece during rounds nine and 10 of the 2009 ELF
Renault Clio Cup with Michelin at North Yorkshire’s Croft circuit on
13th/14th June. 
As
the lights went out for Saturday afternoon’s round nine, it was Michelin
pole-sitter MacDowall who took full advantage to lead the field into the
first corner closely followed by Glew. Behind the front runners, Bradley
had made a good start from eighth on the gird to move up the field as
had local racer Total Control Racing’s Daniel Lloyd, while in contrast
fellow Yorkshire driver House was shuffled down the order on the opening
lap.
Total
Control Racing’s Alex MacDowall picked up his first win of the 2009 ELF
Renault Clio Cup with Michelin during rounds seven and eight held at
Cheshire’s Oulton Park on 30th/31st May. A double podium by Team Pyro’s
Phil Glew though still sees the 25-year-old racer leading the
championship by a margin of 34-points. 
In
front of crowds of thousands, both at the circuit and at home watching
on ITV4, Glew – who has yet to start a race away from the front row –
lined up on the grid as the Michelin pole-sitter with round seven race
winner MacDowall alongside him. 
Saturday’s
race, also held in glorious sunshine, saw MacDowall as the Michelin
pole-sitter with Glew for company on the front row. As the race got
underway, MacDowall made a great start to lead the field into Old Hall
followed by Glew, Newsham and Herron. Despite starting ninth on the
grid, Smith was already up to fifth by the end of the first lap with
Tordoff making up a place to lie sixth ahead of Robinson and Bradley who
had also made up ground. 
After
Glew’s fifth consecutive Clio victory in round five, a crowd of
thousands both at the circuit and at home, eagerly anticipated the start
of round six. As with Saturday’s race, teams were left with difficult
tyre choices following an earlier downpour. At the last minute, six
drivers darted into the pits to change onto a combination of slicks on
the front and wets on the rear but forcing them to start from the pit
lane as a result. 
Team
Pyro's Phil Glew continued his unbeaten record with a pair of victories
in rounds three and four of the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin at
Thruxton circuit on 25th/26th April -- his fourth win from four races.
Team
Pyro’s Phil Glew made a dream start to his title championship bid with
two wins during the opening rounds of the ELF Renault Clio Cup with
Michelin at Brands Hatch Indy circuit on 4th/5th April. 25-year-old Glew,
who last year finished third in the championship, took victory in round
one on Saturday, 4th April followed by a repeat performance in round two
on Sunday, 5th April. 
(leading below)fighting for points in the midfield.