- Worthing-based outfit showcase striking new liveries on both Renault UK Clio Cup machines to the national and international media.
- Competitive running in mixed conditions on circuit at Silverstone for both James Colburn and James Dorlin.
- Series opens with a double-header at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 7-8 April, 2018.
For immediate release: 16th March, 2018.
Westbourne Motorsport kicked off their 2018 Renault UK Clio Cup season with the championships official Media Day at Silverstone yesterday [15th March 2018].
Both James Colburn and James Dorlin were on hand to show off their newly-liveried fourth generation Clio Cup challengers to the assembled media, which for 2018 receive backing from title sponsors Terraclean, Vantage Motor Group and GardX Protection among others.
The pair also lapped competitively in mixed conditions, with the entire field separated by less than two seconds around the 1.64 mile National configuration of the world-famous circuit.
In completing nearly a hundred laps between them and gathering useful data ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch next month [7th-8th April], it complimented the team’s winter programme so far with successful dates at the same venue already in the books.
The championship – regarded by many as an unofficial feeder series of sorts to the British Touring Car Championship, the UK’s headline tin-top series – receives a regular trackside audience exceeding 30,000 and over a hundred hours of free-to-air television coverage via ITV4 and in HD.
The Worthing-based outfit head next to Snetterton to test the third-generation Michelin Clio Cup Series car with championship contender Ben Colburn ahead of the opening rounds of the season back at Silverstone on March 24-25.
James Colburn said, “It finally feels as though the new season is only around the corner and I can’t wait to get started. Both cars look amazing in their new liveries and we’ve had plenty of positive comments, which is fantastic. We owe a massive thanks to all our fantastic sponsors who invest their time and money to get us on the grid, it’s a real confidence boost and we look forward to re-paying that faith with silverware in 2018!
“The mixed conditions today threw up a few questions but everything went smoothly and we’ve definitely gathered a lot of important information about setup and the behaviour of the car.
“The Renault UK Clio Cup is the only single-make title worth chasing in the UK at the moment and I’m fully focused on the task ahead. We’ll get a good idea of where we stack up against the competition at Brands Hatch in a few weeks and hopefully we’ll be back fighting right at the front.”
James Dorlin said, “It was fantastic to finally have the opportunity to show off our new livery for the 2018 Renault UK Clio Cup season to the media in an official capacity, and I’m grateful to all of our sponsors for helping to make this a reality.
“Testing was also promising. Obviously the mixed conditions on-circuit were less than ideal, but nevertheless it still allowed us to gain valuable data and we’ve been able to experiment with several stetup scenarios.
“It’s exciting to think that Brands Hatch is only a few weeks away now, it’s been a long winter and I can’t wait to get going and pick up some silverware. Next stop, however, is Goodwood for the Member’s Meeting and after success in historic racing in the past we’ll be looking to repeat our form there this weekend.”
Notes to editor:
- Vantage Motor Group was founded in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in 2003. The Group now has over 650 employees and 22 dealerships across Northern England and the West Midlands representing Toyota, Kia, Citroen, Honda, Hyundai, SKODA and Lexus. More information can be found at vantagemotorgroup.co.uk.
- GardX Protection manufacture a range of innovative products which are approved by motor manufacturers and used by motor dealers worldwide. They have an unrivalled reputation for providing world-class products with equally impressive standards of customer service and technical support. For more information, please visit gardx.co.uk.
- Terraclean provide an advanced cleaning service capable of reducing your cars emissions, restoring its MPG ratio and restoring its performance. With national coverage comprising over 500 centers across the UK including independent garages and mobile technicians, visit terraclean.co.uk to find your local dealership, and learn more about how their unique de-carbonising technology can help provide a healthier living for your car.
- Paint Perfect are a paint and body shop based south of Lincoln, comprised of two fully-equipped workshops within half a mile of each other. Services range from minor repairs including paint scratches, bumper scuffs and alloy wheel kerbing to full re-sprays, accident damage repairs and restorations. A wide range of vehicles can be accommodated, including specialist vehicles including classic cars, motor homes and motorbikes. Please visit www.paintperfectlincoln.co.uk for further information.