2016 BRSCC Ford Fiesta Junior champion Harry Gooding was amongst 27 drivers who got behind the wheel of Renault UK Clio Cup Junior machinery at Blyton Park this past Sunday (30 October).
The ‘Sampler Day’ provided the 14 to 17 year old drivers with their first opportunity to test the fourth-generation Clio in Junior specification around the Lincolnshire circuit.
All the teams that have so far announced ambitions to enter the series had a car on track across the day, whilst Renault Sport UK also ran one themselves for prospective drivers.
Amongst those was JamSport Racing, who won the Renault UK Clio Cup title with Ant Whorton-Eales this season and also defended their Ford Fiesta Junior crown with Gooding.
The 14 year old, who took twelve podium finishes including six wins on his way to the title, remained with the team for his test and was impressed with the Clio.
“JamSport always prepare an amazing car but this is really good to drive and does everything you want it to do – it is a proper race car and you cannot fault anything,” said Gooding.
“The Michelin tyres are really good, too, considering they are road-spec – they did not drop off in performance during the day and they give a lot of grip.”
Amongst the other drivers at Blyton Park was one-time Ginetta Junior racer Zak Fulk, Junior Saloon Car racers Luke Browning and Finlay Robinson, and karters Troy Beswick and Joe Phillips.
Tuition was provided by former Renault UK Clio Cup champions Ashley Sutton, Paul Rivett and Phil Glew, as well as former series runner-up Ed Pead and 2016 podium finisher Luke Kidsley.