Fastest circuit on calendar next stop for unpredictable Renault UK Clio Cup Title Race

15th May 2018

Max Coates (GBR) Team Pyro Renault Clio Cup

Thruxton in Hampshire hosts rounds five and six of the 2018 Renault UK Clio Cup this weekend (Sat 19/Sun 20 May) – a fixture that always ranks among the most popular of the season thanks to the circuit’s spectacular high speed nature.

Just off the A303 near Andover, Thruxton is the fastest circuit on the Clio Cup calendar with average laps speeds of in excess of 100mph. With three different winners in the opening four rounds and one of the most competitive grids in Clio Cup history, the action is predicted to be at its brilliant best.

Both Clio Cup races take place on the Sunday and, as ever, the championship’s teams and drivers will receive vast exposure with the action being broadcast live by ITV4. Headlining the event is the British Touring Car Championship’s latest rounds and a huge trackside crowd is anticipated for one of the biggest events of the year at the circuit – this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Who’s been doing the winning?
The winners of the Clio Cup’s opening four rounds in 2018 are WDE Motorsport’s Paul Rivett (Epsom Downs), Team Pyro’s Max Coates (Scorton) and Westbourne Motorsport’s James Dorlin (Barnsley).

Four other drivers have also been on the podium: Westbourne’s James Colburn (Worthing) and Pyro trio Daniel Rowbottom (Kidderminster), Bradley Burns (Farnham) and Jack McCarthy (Bromley) although plenty more have also come close.

Coates took over the championship lead last time out at Donington as Rivett – who had led previously – suffered a sizeable accident. Meanwhile Dorlin was supreme with wins in both races at the Leicestershire circuit.

Form guide heading to Thruxton
It was at Thruxton 12 months ago with a dramatic late move on eventual Champion Mike Bushell that 19-year-old Dorlin took his first win in the Clio Cup and he returns on a real high after his Donington performances… Team-mate Colburn should also be right in the hunt – he has won three times previously at Thruxton.

So, too, has triple Champion Rivett while WDE team-mate Lee Pattison (Halifax) has twice won in the past at the so-called ‘Hampshire speed bowl’. Another of WDE’s drivers, Dan Zelos (Dereham), holds the race lap record at Thruxton and, with stable-mates Sam Osborne (Worksop) and Nicolas Hamilton (Welwyn Garden City) also showing strongly at Donington, the Kent-based outfit could be poised to claw back ground on Pyro at the top of the Entrants Trophy table…

Pyro has also enjoyed plenty of previous success around Thruxton; however none of its current line-up has ever won there. Coates will certainly be looking to build on his championship lead but many eyes could be on his teenage team-mates Burns, McCarthy and Zak Fulk (Guildford).

Burns, aged 16 and a protégé of the BMR BTCC team, and 17-year-old McCarthy joined Dorlin in making it the youngest Clio Cup podium in history at Donington where Fulk, also still only 16, enjoyed a best-yet fifth place result. McCarthy arrives at Thruxton tied for second in the standings with Rivett… Meanwhile Rowbottom will be keen to repeat his pace in recent testing at Thruxton – he was fastest of all – as he seeks to close on the championship leaders.

A year since its Clio Cup debut at Thruxton, the emerging MRM team returns with cars for Brett Lidsey (Northfleet) and Jade Edwards (Northampton). Both are full of confidence after career best results at Donington with a fifth for Lidsey and an eighth for Edwards.

Ex-BTCC racer Michael Epps (Hemel Hempstead) is surely a contender for podiums at Thruxton as his new Matrix Motorsport team gets stronger with each outing. Team-mates Andy Wilmot (Dagenham), Aaron Thompson (Romford) and Jeff Alden (Cheltenham) will be looking to build on results so far and, after a positive debut at Donington, the small BLG Racing team and Luke Warr (Sudbury) continue their steep learning curve with a first visit to Thruxton.

When to watch
The Clio Cup’s teams and drivers will first be on track at Thruxton on Saturday for their timed qualifying session (14:10-14:40) when their first and second fastest lap times will determine their starting grid positions for the two races. These take place on Sunday, at 10:45 and 15:10 and much of the action will be broadcast live on ITV4. Both races are 12 laps in distance.

The Clio Cup’s current qualifying and race lap records around Thruxton, both set in 2017, are 1m22.207s/103.17mph (Mike Bushell) and 1m22.777s/102.46mph (Dan Zelos) respectively.

Roy Fewkes
Note: all Clio Cup cars competing at Thruxton this weekend will sport a one-off logo as a mark of respect for Roy Fewkes – the championship’s former Technical Commissioner who sadly passed away on Friday 11 May.

	Date	Circuit / Layout	Event Type	Cost
May 2023
+	Wednesday 31 May 2023	Spa Francorchamps Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country Belgium Skill level - Requirements Notes: Photography Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more
June 2023
+	Thursday 01 June 2023	Brands Hatch Indy	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£149
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
+	Wednesday 07 June 2023	Thruxton Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£179
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more
+	Tuesday 13 June 2023	Donington Park National	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£249
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more
+	Wednesday 14 June 2023	Croft Full	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£249
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Croft Matt Neal – www.mattneal.co.uk One of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar. It’s our only trip to the North East side of the country and when we get there the circuit is a real challenge with the local fans always giving terrific warm support. Croft is very clean and picturesque, neatly cut lawns and a neat compact pit lane with all amenities close by. As a driver it requires a high level of commitment, so racing and finding an optimum balanced setup is key to a fast Read more
+	Wednesday 14 June 2023	Oulton Park International	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£319
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Oulton Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Oulton Park is the longest circuit in the UK, excluding Silverstone. It also has the steepest banked corner in the UK in the form of Shell Oils at 11 degrees. The circuit’s natural undulations and blind crests make this one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, both feared and revered by drivers on both two and four wheels. There is very little run off anywhere, so take your time – it is unlikely you will master the circuit on your first Read more
+	Friday 16 June 2023	Goodwood Circuit	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£699
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Goodwood Circuit Alan Whibley – Old Farts Member Probably my favourite circuit of all. Set in the lovely Sussex countryside and beautifully maintained. There’s well manicured grass all round and there lies problem number one – almost no run off anywhere. Put a boot on the grass and there is a tyre wall with solid earth banks waiting for you. The pleasant surroundings can give a give a feeling of relaxation, but it is deceptive and can catch out the unwary. There is plenty of cover in the pits to Read more
July 2023
+	Thursday 06 July 2023	Brands Hatch Indy	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£159
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
+	Monday 10 July 2023	Brands Hatch Grand Prix	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£649
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Photography Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more
+	Wednesday 12 July 2023	Donington Park National	Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.	£159
	Duration Full day Country United Kingdom Skill level - Requirements Closed Wheel Only Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more

Date

Circuit / Layout

Event Type

Cost

May 2023

Wednesday
31 May 2023

Spa Francorchamps
Grand Prix

Track Day A track day is an event that allows you to take your CAR or BIKE (with a valid MOT) on any listed circuit with your valid road license. Briefing must be attended before taking to the track. Some days are sessioned based on time of day, the car/bikes power or the driver/rider experience, an open pit lane means the circuit is open at all time to all attendees until the track limit is reached. Overtaking is usually by consent of the leading car/bike. No timing or GPS is allowed on track days. Passengers are allowed.

£649

Duration Full day
Country Belgium
Skill level -
Requirements

Notes: Photography

Spa Francorchamps There are 2 pitlanes in use currently, the GP pits (detailed in the map above) & the endurance pits (entry after the GP exit, and exit onto the start of Kemmel). A lap starting from the GP exit goes down towards Eau Rouge and Raidillon. The trick is to go as close to the wall as you can, and stay there. Then, you cross to the left, over the big patch of curbstone. You straighten the wheel again and brake as you see fit. After the braking, and when you’ve started the climb of Raidillon, Read more

June 2023

Thursday
01 June 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£149

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Brands Hatch Paul Rivett – www.paulrivett.com Brands Hatch was once a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, but is now one of the most thrilling circuits in the UK with races from grass track to DTM. Below is an expert guide to Brands Hatch by Paul Rivett, three-times Clio Cup Championship winner. The circuit begins on the Brabham Straight, an off-camber, slightly curved stretch. The ideal line is to hug the pit wall until the start/finish line and then move to the left of the circuit to Read more

Wednesday
07 June 2023

Thruxton
Full

£179

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Thruxton One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at 2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the British Superbike Championship are the main points of the season at Thruxton. The surface at Thruxton is a tough one and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs but it does give surprisingly Read more

Tuesday
13 June 2023

Donington Park
National

£249

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Donington Park Paul Wilson – www.paul-wilson.net Vantage GT3 for a Leonard AMR in the VLN Nordschleife series Donington Park (with one N!) was the first permanent park circuit in England, opening in 1931. During the Second World War, the track was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and it took until 1971 before the track was purchased by local man Tom Wheatcroft and turned back into the track it is today. Below is an expert guide to Donington Park by Paul Wilson, Caterham R300 Champion, Read more

Wednesday
14 June 2023

Croft
Full

£249

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Croft Matt Neal – www.mattneal.co.uk One of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar. It’s our only trip to the North East side of the country and when we get there the circuit is a real challenge with the local fans always giving terrific warm support. Croft is very clean and picturesque, neatly cut lawns and a neat compact pit lane with all amenities close by. As a driver it requires a high level of commitment, so racing and finding an optimum balanced setup is key to a fast Read more

Wednesday
14 June 2023

Oulton Park
International

£319

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Oulton Park Jamie Stanley – www.jamiestanley.co.uk Oulton Park is the longest circuit in the UK, excluding Silverstone. It also has the steepest banked corner in the UK in the form of Shell Oils at 11 degrees. The circuit’s natural undulations and blind crests make this one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, both feared and revered by drivers on both two and four wheels. There is very little run off anywhere, so take your time – it is unlikely you will master the circuit on your first Read more

Friday
16 June 2023

Goodwood Circuit

£699

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Goodwood Circuit Alan Whibley – Old Farts Member Probably my favourite circuit of all. Set in the lovely Sussex countryside and beautifully maintained. There’s well manicured grass all round and there lies problem number one – almost no run off anywhere. Put a boot on the grass and there is a tyre wall with solid earth banks waiting for you. The pleasant surroundings can give a give a feeling of relaxation, but it is deceptive and can catch out the unwary. There is plenty of cover in the pits to Read more

July 2023

Thursday
06 July 2023

Brands Hatch
Indy

£159

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Monday
10 July 2023

Brands Hatch
Grand Prix

£649

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Photography

Wednesday
12 July 2023

Donington Park
National

£159

Duration Full day
Country United Kingdom
Skill level -
Requirements Closed Wheel Only

Notes: Free photography, free tuiton, free refreshments

Fastest circuit on calendar next stop for unpredictable Renault UK Clio Cup Title Race

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Fastest circuit on calendar next stop for unpredictable Renault UK Clio Cup Title Race

Upcoming Track Days

Latest News

MotorsportDays.com Relaunch Website

Enduro KA walk through

Circuit du Var Luc

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