AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK championship contender James Dixon had a weekend of mixed fortunes during Rounds Eleven and Twelve of the 2011 season, taking victory in the opening race before suffering an early retirement in race two around the new Snetterton 300 Circuit.
Qualifying didn't go entirely to plan for Dixon, but he still lined up fifth on the grid for the first race. The Total Control Racing driver got away well at the start and managed to thread his way through a multi-car incident at Montreal to move into the lead. Controlling the race from the front, Hames cruised home for victory, moving the 21 year old into the championship lead.
That didn't last long though, as in Sunday's race, contact with the rear of Jake Packun's Clio at the first corner caused Dixon to go off circuit. Despite recovering to the circuit, he had to retire soon after with a broken steering arm, dropping him back down to third in the championship, where he had started at the beginning of the weekend.
The ABP Heating, Weidmuller and The Art of Decorating-backed driver said: “Saturday's race was a very sweet result as it was so unexpected from where we were on the grid. The points were very good and just what we needed but with no points in the bag from the second race, that's hurt us quite badly.
“I am disappointed but I know what I've got to do over the remaining two events now, we've got to qualify on the front row and try and win every race. It's not going to be easy but I'm going all-out to try and win this championship for me, my sponsors and for TCR.”
There are now four races left in the 2011 season, but next up for James is the 'Cross Channel Challenge' event around the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, as part of the annual World Series by Renault meeting. James will have the opportunity to compete again the best drivers from across Europe, an opportunity made possible by sponsor Weidmuller.