Josh Files missed out on a maiden Renault UK Clio Cup victory by a mere 0.013s during the latest rounds of the 2013 season at Donington Park.
In the second race of the weekend, the Vocalink-backed driver worked his way into second place early on, before going on to pass race leader, multiple Clio champion Paul Rivett.
The Norwich-based racer led the way as chaos ensued behind him and looked set for a first victory as he led onto the final lap, but a snap of oversteer at the Old Hairpin gave Rivett a run to get through at Coppice. Fighting back at the final chicane, Files got a run to the line, but just missed out in a stunning photo-finish.
“It’s so disappointing to miss out on the win by such a small margin because I was leading quite comfortably until the final lap,” said Files. “I suffered with oversteer throughout the race and the car got away from me slightly out of the Old Hairpin on the last lap, which allowed Rivett to shoot up behind me.”
“I had to defend as much as possible but he got the undercut at Coppice – that’s how I took the lead from him so he just got me back really. If the finish line was a bit further along the pit straight I would have had him, but we go to Thruxton now and that’s one of my favourites so I’m confident of strong results there.”
That result was added to a second place in the opening race, the results moving the 22 year old up to third in the championship, twenty points adrift of championship leader Rivett.
