2014 Junior Saloon Car (JSCC) Champion James Dorlin got his first taste of a third generation Renault Clio racer this week with Westbourne Motorsport.
The test opportunity came as part of his prize for winning the Junior championship, with Dorlin getting behind the wheel around the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.
With former Clio Cup racer Ed Pead alongside him, Dorlin put in an impressive showing as he aims to step up to the Michelin Clio Cup Series next year.
“I had been really looking forward to the test and it didn’t disappoint,” said Dorlin. “The Clio was great and once I got to grips with the car I felt totally at home and put in some good times.
“To compete in the Michelin Clio Cup Race Series next year has to be the natural progression for me. I would like to thank Richard [Colburn] and the team at Westbourne for a great day.”
“Having worked with many junior drivers in Westbourne’s seven year association with the JSCC, it’s great to see another fast driver making the step up,” added Pead.
“James got to grips with the car really quickly and we were soon lapping very fast in some tricky conditions, in the dry he was really committed and very impressive.”
As Pead alludes too, this test is part of an on-going association between Westbourne and the JSCC, who run cars in the series alongside their Clio Series and Clio Cup exploits, as well as offering prize tests.
For 2015, Westbourne are expanding their prize test package, adding tests in a Road Series Clio Renaultsport 197 for the second and third placed JSCC drivers.
“We’re delighted to be able to confirm the enhanced prize package we’re putting forward for the Junior Saloon Car Championship next year,” explains team boss Richard Colburn,
“The ladder we have in place from the JSCC, through both classes in the Michelin Clio Cup Series and into the [Renault UK] Clio Cup is something Westbourne is very proud of.”
