Total Control Racing star James Dixon used his local knowledge to full effect to take victory in Round 19 of the 2010 Elf Renault Clio Cup with Michelin. The 20 year old, who works at the circuit as a racing instructor, led from lights to flag to take his first ever win in the series.
Westbourne Motorsport's Josh Cook joined Dixon on the front row as the Clio's lined up on the grid and as the lights went out, it was Cook who made the best start. Dixon was able to hold him off on the inside though, holding his lead as they headed through Paddock Hill for the first time.
This left Cook in the clutches of Rivett and as the pack headed up to Druids, former double champion Paul Rivett briefly moved into second, but Cook was quick to regain his place. Behind, a good start for James Colburn saw him move into fourth, followed by Mike Robinson and Lee Pattison.
As the field headed around the first few laps, a nine car train emerged at the front led by Dixon, with the cars running nose to tail. The first in the group to make a move was ninth placed Jake Packun, who had started at the back after a fly wheel problem in qualifying. The Team Pyro star made a committed move at Druids to take eighth from Meridian Motorsport's Rob Gaffney.
The next to make a move was Rivett in third. A slight nudge on Cook at Clearways unsettled the youngsters Clio, allowing Rivett through, with Colburn and Robinson also benefiting to take a place, pushing Cook down to fifth.
With everyone battling behind, Dixon was able to break off and build a small lead at the front for the first time in the race, with Rivett then breaking off the group a couple of laps later. This left a seven car battle led by Colburn for third, who was beginning to come under immense pressure from Robinson.
Further down the pack, after contact on lap one saw him drop to the back, newcomer to the series Jason Mills was beginning to mount an impressive comeback drive. After passing fellow newcomer Andy Jordan, he got past series regular Darren Wilson and another newcomer to the series Craig Currie to move into a well earned eleventh place, before setting about chasing down Stancombe Vehicle Engineering's Matthew Munson for a place in the top ten.
At the front, Dixon was still holding a solid gap to Munson's Stancombe team mate Rivett. With the pair trading fastest lap times, the gap remained the same, with Rivett unable to make a challenge for the lead, despite setting the NGK Fastest Lap of the race.
As the laps ticked down, Dixon held back the nerves to cross the line and take his first ever Clio Cup victory, also securing the Graduate Cup honours in the process. Rivett came home second, with Colburn holding off Robinson for third, his fourth podium of the season. Cook ended up fifth, with Pattison taking the Masters Cup win in sixth. Jack Goff finished seventh, ahead of Packun and Gaffney, with Munson holding off the charging Mills to complete the top ten.
