Picture credit: Kingsley Newman
Shenstone’s Ant Whorton-Eales, retained his lead in the Rookie Cup of the Renault Clio Cup, despite a difficult round six at Thruxton. He leads the Rookie Cup by 24 points,as the series nears the halfway point.
The 17 year old BRDC Rising Star, was racing on the fastest circuit in the country, for the first time in his career. Before this weekend Ant hadn’t driven his Clio Cup car in the rain, but the weekend saw atrocious conditions at the Hampshire circuit.
Saturday’s qualifying saw Whorton-Eales have a pair of 16th places with his fastest time a 1:32.779, his next lap would be his second quickest a 1:32.861. Whorton-Eales was learning about the circuit though with every lap that he completed in the pouring rain.
Picture credit: Kingsley Newman
The first race, the fifth round of the championship, was run in better conditions than qualifying. The rain had stopped but the track was still damp. Whorton-Eales made another great start and by the end of the first lap, found himself in 11th place, a gain of five from his starting position. There was a major scare at the end of the first lap. Nic Hamilton, the brother of 2008 Formula One world champion Lewis, span and so nearly ended up going backwards into Whorton-Eales’ passenger door.
The SSFT, One-Lux and Westbourne Motors backed driver, picked up a further place and would end up in 10th by the end of the 12 lap race and third in the Rookie Cup to strengthen his overall lead.
Picture credit : Julie Macpherson
Sunday saw torrential rain, to the extent the race had to be started behind the safety car. There was drama for Whorton-Eales, as his windscreen had misted up and he had to visit the pits. The race started the lap after he came in, losing him valuable time. Another safety car would however bring the Shenstone teenager back with the rest of the pack. Whorton-Eales made up six places following the restart and ended up finishing in 15th to limit the damage caused by having to pit.
Whorton-Eales was relatively happy of how the weekend went, “ it was my first race weekend at Thruxton and the weather certainly didn’t help. The problem with the windscreen happened at the wrong time, but we managed to recover some crucial points back. Thanks to my sponsors and to Westbourne Motorsport. We still lead the Rookie Cup which is a good way to end the weekend.”
The Clio Cup has a five week break now, with rounds 7 and 8 at the picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire. The race meeting is held on the 9th and 10th of June and Whorton-Eales is determined to be back on the top step of the podium.
Dan Blake
Westbourne Motorsport Press Officer