Welcome to Thruxton with Westbourne
This weekend sees the TOCA package visit Thruxton, the fastest track in the country. It has been wet and windy for the majority of the weekend. We will look back at a fantastic Saturday for the team and preview the second race which takes place this afternoon. We hope that you enjoy the day’s racing which seems to have a much better prospect than the weather.
This newsletter will keep readers updated with progress and behind the scenes features from our drivers, James Colburn, Ant Whorton-Eales and Will Davison
Thruxton, April 28th–29th 2012
Courageous Colburn Takes Impressive Victory
Picture credit: Kingsley Newman
James Colburn kick started his 2012 campaign in style, by winning round five of the Renault Clio Cup.
Starting from third on the grid, Colburn made a fantastic start finding the gap between the front row men Josh Files and Adam Bonham. By the time the cars reached the first corner, James was ahead and starting to pull out a small gap over his pursuers as the lap went on.
Bonham started to drop back, and it was a two car race between James and Files. James found himself under intense pressure as the race went on. The two young chargers put on a fantastic display for the crowd, as they raced bumper to bumper.
Files tried making a move on the outside of James coming into the final chicane, in the words of James, “ I saw him coming to make a move on the outside of the chicane, but not on my watch!”
Files also tried to overtake James going round the inside of the complex but again James showed a cool head and saw off the challenge from the Pyro driver. It may not have been the streets of Monaco, but the battle between Colburn and Files was very similar to the iconic battle between Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell nearly 20 years ago.
James held on to take the flag and well deserved scenes of jubilation from the team, as the Worthing driver took his second Clio Cup victory.
It was also a successful day for Ant, who made six places off his grid position of 16th. He again made a rapid start and by the first corner he had made two places. Kim Andersson’s retirement on the first lap saw him go up another position. There was an edge of the seat moment for Whorton-Eales as Nic Hamilton’s spinning car came ever close to the side of his car at the final chicane.
Ant finished in tenth place and with Andersson not finishing it meant he extends his lead in the Rookie Cup to 37 points over new second place man Josh Cook.
Will finished in 18th place after having a race long battle with Lithuanian driver Tautvydas Barstys and Darren Wilson. Will got past Barstys following a frustrating spell behind him. He would also finish 7th in the Rookie Cup.
Yesterday’s result saw Westbourne climb above Scuderia Vittoria in the team championship and rise up to second place. James’ win saw him move up to seventh in the championship, just behind Ant.
The Clio’s are out again for Round Six at 1:00. James finds himself on pole, after getting the quickest second best time. Will he win again?