Tricky conditions at Snetterton opened up the opportunity for an incredibly unpredictable race one in the Renault UK Clio Cup. It certainly didn’t disappoint as title rivals faltered and we also welcome a new driver to the winning circle.
Starting from ninth on the grid, Daniel Rowbottom had already gained eight places before the end of the opening lap and was hustling pole man James Dorlin for the lead of the race. Dicing for the lead for multiple laps, Dorlin was the man to blink first as he ran off the road at Wilson, opening the opportunity for Rowbottom to cruise to the flag.
However, with a few laps to go a gaggle of Clio machinery behind the eventual race leader were looking likely to threaten Rowbottom’s party. Bradley Burns, Lee Pattison, Michael Epps and Ash Hand were all doing their best to battle each other and be able to gain time on the leader.
Despite their attempts, Rowbottom held on to take his and his team’s first victory in the UK Clio Cup. Ash Hand finished second on the road. But, was given a time penalty for an incident during the race which dropped him to sixth.
Bradley Burns therefore finished second and Mike Epps scores his first Clio Cup podium with third.
Title rivals Paul Rivett, Max Coates and James Dorlin had a rare off day as damage limitation was their order for race one. Dorlin recovered to finish eighth behind Rivett in seventh whilst championship leader Coates had a moment on the opening lap and had to make do with eleventh at the flag.
Elsewhere down the order, Nick Reeve on his début finished eighteenth but in the meantime set the fastest lap of the race. Jack Young was running as high as third but sadly had to retire with mechanical issues.
An honourable mention must go to Nicolas Hamilton who finished in fourteenth after starting the race from twentieth.
With all this excitement, believe that it could all happen again as the conditions at Snetterton don’t seem to be improving anytime soon.
