Westbourne Motorsport extended their advantage atop the Renault UK Clio Cup standings after an fifth victory of 2018 for James Dorlin at Oulton Park.
The Vantage Motor Group and GardX Protection-backed racer re-asserted himself at the head of the field during practice, translating that pace into a second pole position of the season before delivering a lights-to-flag victory in the opening contest.
Though he ultimately lost out from the front in the second race – televised live nationwide through ITV Sport’s free-to-air coverage along with a capacity crowd at the 2.2 mile Cheshire circuit – a sixth straight podium in third hands the BRDC Rising Star a four-point lead in the standings.
James Colburn – who also benefits from the support of Terraclean – completed a strong weekend for the Worthing-based team with a brace of top five finishes.
Trademark lightning starts in both races put the #7 machine in the mix for silverware, but on a circuit renowned to be difficult for overtaking Colburn was unfortunate to miss out on challenging for silverware after showing promise.
Regardless, both drivers look set to challenge at the sharp end of the field once again when the championship reconvenes at Croft Circuit in Yorkshire to mark the halfway stage of the 2018 season [23-24 June].
James Colburn (#7) said, “This weekend we’ve ticked off the main objective, which was to score strong points for Westbourne Motorsport in the championship.
“I’d like to say congratulations to my team-mate James [Dorlin] on taking a victory and a further podium – I’m confident before long we’ll be spraying the champagne together.
“A huge thank you to the team and my sponsors. My starts weren’t quite on a par this weekend and that cost us, but I’ll make sure they’re back to their best for Croft in less than a fortnight.”
James Dorlin (#32) said, “It’s been another great weekend for me, with two podiums including a race victory that extends our lead in the championship. It’s clear we’re right in the thick of the championship fight in 2018, so consistently scoring these results is important.
“We’re on a really good run of form at the moment and I don’t see that changing next time out at Croft, which is definitely among my favourite circuits and one that’s held plenty of success for us in the past.
“A huge thanks as always to everybody at Westbourne Motorsport for preparing the car to the highest standards, and to all my sponsors for enabling me to get out there and race – this run of results is for you.”