Dorlin triumphs in entertaining finale

There wasn’t much racing in the Clio Cup at Brands Hatch, but what did take place was enthralling as James Dorlin snatched the title from Max Coates and Paul Rivett’s grasp.

A safety car period and red flag after a scary, barrier-destroying shunt for Nick Reeve limited the first contest to just three racing laps. Dan Rowbottom won, while Dorlin was third, ahead of Rivett and Coates.

The title all came down to the finale and Dorlin got a brilliant start to launch into the lead and pulled away from the squabbling pack behind. But that three-second advantage was wiped out by a safety car after a crash for Nic Hamilton. On the restart a failed pass from Coates on Mike Epps for second let Rivett through. Coates then hit his foe at Graham Hill Bend, giving him a penalty that promoted Rivett to third in the final result.

That didn’t matter to Dorlin, who sealed the title (pending a National Court hearing) with a brilliant win.

“I managed to get a good start initially and pulled out a gap,” he said. “But I was thinking ‘a safety car would ruin this’. [When that happened] you’ve got to keep your head and stay focused.

“The recognition from winning Clios is huge, it’s the most prestigious title I’ve won in my career so far.”