National reports: Rockingham; Silverstone; Castle Combe; Mallory
RENAULT UK CLIO CUP
Fortunes can change very quickly in the Clio Cup. Leaving the previous round at Snetterton, Max Coates looked in control after title rival Paul Rivett’s nightmare. But at Rockingham the roles were reversed and Coates’s lead was slashed from 27 points to just seven.
The one element of the Snetterton results that remained the same was Dan Rowbottom winning. As some of the title contenders struggled – Coates tangled with third-placed James Dorlin and Dan Zelos on a chaotic opening lap – Rowbottom was able to capitalise.
He was up to second on the opening tour from sixth on the grid, and then passed Jack Mccarthy at Deene on lap three of 14 to take the lead. But that wasn’t the end of the matter.
Rivett, who was also caught up in the opening-lap shenanigans, gradually picked off cars and closed right in on Rowbottom to create a nervy end to the race, but Rivett was not quite able to attempt a pass.
“I’m really pleased – it’s all about race wins for me,” said Rowbottom. “I really, really want to be in that title hunt at Brands Hatch. Yes [he was worried] – with about three laps to go I knew my front tyres had almost had it and I was braking early.”
Rivett was gracious in defeat – but was firmly back in title contention after Coates retired with a puncture following further contact with Bradley Burns. “I think one more corner and I would’ve got him,” said Rivett. “It was role reversal from the second race at Snetterton and shows how quickly it can change.”
Mccarthy had to settle for third, but had another chance of taking a win on his 18th-birthday weekend in race two.
It didn’t get off to a good start initially as Coates passed him for second. But that lasted just three corners as Mccarthy fought back at Yentwood. And then it got even better for the Team Pyro youngster as he passed team-mate Bradley Burns for the lead at Brook and was able to stay there to the flag.
Mccarthy did come under pressure from Mike Epps and Coates late on, but couldn’t be denied his maiden car-racing win. “It’s taken nearly two years so I’m quite ecstatic!” he said. “The rest of the season is looking good.”
Coates managed to bounce back from his race-one disaster with third but, with Rivett fourth, he only eked out his points lead by two. “No, that doesn’t make up for race one but it helps,” said Coates. “But this is what happens in racing. I’ve still got the championship lead and it’s a bit bigger than it was this morning.”
But with this being the Clio Cup, it will no doubt all change again at the next round at Silverstone.