James Colburn has moved up to second in the 2014 Renault UK Clio Cup championship standings after a 3rd place finish and a controlled victory in Rounds 7 and 8 at Oulton Park.
After struggling in Friday’s free practice sessions, which included an off-track excursion at Shell Oils Hairpin, Colburn headed into qualifying which occurred in constant rainfall. After briefly having a spell at the top of the times, James, who very much so considers this his “bogey” track managed to qualify his fourth generation Clio in 3rd and 2nd place for rounds 7 and 8 respectively.
The first race of the weekend was very much a lonely affair for Colburn in 3rd place, the Westbourne Motorsport ace not quite able to match the pace of the leading duo, but comfortably clear of a battling pack behind, giving James his first podium at the circuit since 2011.
The second race was a much more dominant showing for the Worthing racer, as he swept into the lead off the line, and then benefitted as 2nd and 3rd battled behind to edge away for his second win of the season. Colburn was able to build a gap at half distance and by the chequered flag he was 1.265 seconds up the road for victory, the first time he’s ever won Clio races on consecutive meetings.
After a strong weekend, Colburn jumps into 2nd place in the championship only 32 points behind Josh Cook. Last time James was in the Clio title mix in 2011, he took the fight right down to the wire and a maiden Clio win on the final weekend meant he finished up just eight points shy of champion Paul Rivett. This time however Colburn is determined to emerge victorious. “We’re second in the championship now, and the last time I was near the top I was fighting for the championship till the very end. I plan to stay here and go one step further this time around.”
Colburn’s challenge for Clio supremacy will continue in three weeks’ time at Croft, a circuit he secured a double podium finish at in the category in 2011 and that is one of his favourites on the BTCC calendar.
“A few years ago we were the fastest on circuit at Croft, and it’s a circuit I love,” he added. “It’s a fantastic circuit, we’re heading there on a high and we’re looking forward to seeing how it goes.”
Maidstone’s Devon Modell had a solid weekend with two top 10 finishes, bringing his Westbourne Clio home in 9th place for both races after enjoying various battles throughout the two races. With three weeks to go until Croft, he will no doubt be targeting a top 5 finish for the first time this season, one more than his best 6th place finish at Thruxton earlier in the season.