Michelin Clio Cup Series

Randon Holds On For Victory As Points Lead Changes

2 Mins read

Sam Randon secured his second win of the 2016 Michelin Clio Cup Series campaign during a close-fought final race of the Brands Hatch weekend.

Randon fended off a determined Brett Lidsey to take the win, though second place was enough for the latter to take the championship lead after former points leader James Dorlin hit trouble.

In contrast to the torrential rain they had to contend with in Saturday’s opening race, a dry track greeted the field as they hit the track for the final race of the weekend.

It was Dorlin who had started the race from pole position, but a fantastic launch from fellow front-row starter Randon gave him the lead heading into Paddock for the first time.

Behind, Tom Barley slipped from third to fifth on the opening lap, with Lidsey soaking up some early pressure from Ben Palmer for third before pulling clear.

Close battling between the top two ahead allowed Lidsey to edge closer to them, but just as we looked set for a titanic three car battle for victory, Dorlin dramatically slowed.

Whilst he was able to get going again, the Westbourne Motorsport ace had dropped to ninth, while Lidsey had to slow to get past, which gave Randon a crucial two second lead.

Lidsey showcased himself as the faster of the top two however and chipped away at the lead over the second half of the race, getting within striking distance for the final lap.

Randon would thwart his overtaking efforts into Paddock Hill and Graham Hill Bend however and hold his lead to the flag for victory, with Lidsey left to settle for second.

Palmer kept Luke Pinder at arms length in the closing stages to secure his first podium finish of the season, with Pinder having grabbed fourth from Barley at Paddock Hill on lap nine.

Ben Colburn, Tyler Lidsey and Dan Kirby completed the top eight, with Dorlin needing a couple more laps to gain some positions after wiping out a five second gap to Kirby.

In the Road Series, it was another lights-to-flag class win for Nic Harrison, who once again had the pace advantage over Jack Fabby to enjoy a fairly comfortable race.

Sarah Franklin initially ran third in class, but a wide moment through the gravel at Paddock Hill allowed Damian Hirst to secure a podium finish on his debut weekend in the series.

Full race results can be found here.

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Simon is an experienced journalist and PR officer, who has worked in the national motorsport paddocks for over a decade, primarily on the BTCC support package.
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