Ash Hand is ready to break his Renault UK Clio Cup duck and take a first category victory by the end of the 2014 season after a promising recent run of form in the tin-top series.
While the SV Racing ace found himself out of luck at Snetterton earlier this month, a double podium finish at Croft was backed up by a great outing at Knockhill last weekend.
The 20 year old qualified third on the grid for the opening encounter of the weekend, and while he was unable to regain a podium spot after slipping to fourth at the start, Hand showed his pace by setting the fastest lap of the race.
In race two, he scythed his way up from fourth to second in the opening five laps before hunting down the leader Jordan Stilp, eventually running out of laps after slashing his lead from 2.5 seconds to barely a quarter of a second at the flag.
Hand felt victory was in his hands and rued time lost behind back markers, filling him with more determination to take his first Clio win within the final four races of the year, starting next weekend at Rockingham, the scene of his maiden podium twelve months ago.
“There were mixed emotions ultimately; I was pleased to be on the podium, but disappointed at being denied the opportunity to go for victory,” said Hand.
“That said, our racecraft and pace were extremely encouraging, and the new lap record was at least some sort of consolation prize. It was our strongest performance of the year so far, and now we need to carry this momentum through to the end of the season so I can finally break my Clio Cup duck!”