Josh Cook is heading into the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup with one focus on his mind, the championship title.
A sensational 2012 season running with 20Ten Racing saw the 21 year old secure the Rookie Cup class honours, along with a top five overall championship finish. The highlight of the season proved to be a stunning double victory towards the end of the season at Silverstone.
These results that gave Cook a “massive confident boost” heading into the winter months, during which the former Production Touring Car Trophy racer made a change of teams, joining the returning JHR Developments
“The team I was with last year were an up and coming team, they were brilliant and I think in the last three meetings I scored more points than anyone else with them,” Cook told TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk.
“This season I’ve joined a team that has title-winning experience for me to learn from. I’ve known Steve [Hunter – JHR Team Principal] for a number of years, they were coming back wanting to win the championship and decided I might have a good chance, which is flattering, but it means I’ve got a lot of hard work to do to make their decision justified.”
With his new team, Cook has his eyes firmly set on the championship trophy, and is being spurred on by a pep talk from an unlikely source.
“I was in an interview for my BRDC Rising Star and Ian Titchmarsh told me that I have no other choice and I have to win this year, so I’m going to go by that and try to win it!” he explained.
“I’m looking forward to the season. I have no illusions that it’s not going to be difficult, but it should be fun. There are a lot of quick drivers out there so I just want to bag as many points as I can and keep an eye on the championship, rather than pushing for that single race and possibly making a stupid manoeuvre.”
Cook begins his title challenge when the series gets underway this weekend (30/31 March) at Brands Hatch.
