James Dorlin and Brett Lidsey will be fighting it out this weekend (8/9 October) to write their names into the record books as the third champion in Michelin Clio Cup Series history during the final two races of the season at Silverstone.
Dorlin heads into the all-important season finale as the clear favourite for the title as his Westbourne Motorsport team look to defend their crown, with a superb maiden campaign for the 17 year old featuring seven race wins and three other podium finishes.
Lidsey won’t give up without a fight however as his fourth season in the series comes to a close, and the MRM ace remains firmly in contention courtesy of an unmatched eleven top three finishes so far, which has included victories at Pembrey and Brands Hatch.
With dropped scores taken into consideration, the gap between the two lies at 22 points. That means that even if Lidsey takes maximum points from the meeting, just one podium finish in either race would be enough for Dorlin to take the crown.
While the title battle with naturally take the headlines this weekend, there are a host of other drivers who will be aiming to steal a share of the spotlight, including Luke Pinder and Sam Randon who are locked in a duel over third in the championship standings.
With dropped scores factored in Randon holds a sixteen point lead over his adversary – an advantage helped by race victories at Pembrey and Brands Hatch, while reigning Road Series champion Pinder is still pursuing a maiden outright win in a consistent campaign.
Baring disaster at Silverstone, Ben Palmer and Tom Barley will complete the top six in the standings at the end of the season and both head into the final rounds aiming to add to their single podium finishes so far, which came at Brands Hatch and Croft respectively.
Also hoping to end their seasons on a high are Ben Colburn and Tyler Lidsey, who are separated by only two points in their battle over seventh. As well as beating each other to secure that spot, they will also both be looking to secure breakthrough top five finishes this weekend.
It’s not just the overall title that’s up for grabs at the ‘Home of British Motorsport’ meanwhile, with the destination of the Road class crown still to be decided. The honours will go to either Nic Harrison or Jack Fabby, with the former holding a nine point advantage.
Harrison has secured six class wins to Fabby’s five so far this campaign and while those two are likely to be sharing the victories between themselves once again, the ever-improving Damian Hirst will have his sights on a maiden success if they slip up.
Full championship standings for both classes ahead of the weekend can be found here.
