Dominant Double & Championship Lead for Burton at Rockingham

19th April 2018


Gus Burton (Colchester) has become the first driver in Renault UK Clio Cup Junior history to take a clean sweep of two pole positions, two wins and two fastest laps in one weekend with a dominant display in both the championship’s latest rounds at Rockingham today.

The Team Pyro driver lost the lead at the start of race one to Specialized Motorsport’s Nic Reeve (Romford) – the championship leader arriving at Rockingham.

However he was quick to depose Reeve and from there swiftly built an unassailable advantage as he also established a new lap record with the race’s fastest lap time.

JamSport Racing’s Louis Doyle (Mawdesley) finished second after also passing Reeve who took third as Pyro’s Lorcan Hanafin (Guiseley) – Burton’s closest challenger in qualifying – was forced to retire.

In race two Burton led all the way, this time ahead of Hanafin as Reeve took another third place finish after managing to resist the persistent Doyle in fourth.

Burton’s two maximum scores have taken him past Reeve into the championship lead.

Underlining his consistency was the fact that he covered the two 13-lap races in an almost identical time – 21 minutes, 24.719 seconds and then 21m25.098s!

Burton, aged 15, said: “The weekend couldn’t have gone any better – two maximum scores and also my first two wins in Clio Cup Junior.

“Nic made me work for it at the start of race one but I always felt I was faster so when he left the door open approaching Yentwood corner on lap two I didn’t need a second invitation.

“Coming away I’m feeling pretty good. We’re into the championship lead now and I’m confident we can keep this great pace going.”

Rounds five and six of 2018’s 12-round Renault UK Clio Cup Junior season take place at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire on the weekend of 21-22 July.

Provisional drivers’ points: 1. Gus Burton, 93 Nick Reeve, 90; 2. Louis Doyle 82; 3. Lorcan Hanafin, 62; 5. Jamie-Lea Hawley, 32.
Next rounds: Donington Park, Leicestershire, Sat 21/Sun 22 July.

CLICK HERE for race results at Rockingham.