YOUNG HEADS TOCA SUPPORT HONOURS
Series bows out from BTCC package with another dramatic decider
There has been no shortage of penalties during a frantic Renault UK Clio Cup season, but few had the significance of the one awarded to Jack Young in the first race at Brands Hatch.
He was handed a drivethrough for overlapping Anton Spires on a safety car restart, a move not permitted by the regulations. As he didn’t visit the pits before the end of the race, it was converted into a 30-second time penalty. Suddenly, a solid fourth place behind Brett Lidsey, James Colburn and chief title rival Max Coates, became a 12th. Suddenly, a decent lead over Coates became a one-point deficit.
After being hit by former team-mate
Jade Edwards at Silverstone, Coates knew it would be a tough ask to take the title and he was shocked by the change in fortunes. But his race wasn’t straightforward either as he dropped back at the start.
“My clutch failed on the way to the line so the car was off at the start,” he admitted. “My start was horrendous as I had my foot on the brake because of the clutch problem.”
That left it all to play for in the finale but Young had a significant advantage – he was starting third while Coates was
10th as a chaotic qualifying session that featured multiple red flags prevented him from improving as the track dried.
And Young made the most of his better grid position as he took second at Druids, while Coates was up to fifth. But a lengthy safety car was then needed to fix barriers after Ben Colburn was punted off as the cars concertinaed out of Druids. During the caution, Coates was furiously gesturing as he believed Aaron Thompson had passed him after the safety car boards emerged and wanted the places to be swapped.
His frustration then grew as another safety car was needed instantly as Luke Warr and Ethan Hammerton tangled at Clearways, leaving just a four-lap dash to the flag and little time for him to pass Young.
While Coates quickly rose to second, Young was also on the move grabbing the lead from double polesitter James Colburn at Surtees to seal the title with a win.
“I can’t really tell you what it means, I can’t describe it,” Young smiled. “We won the championship and we won the final race, it’s unbelievable. I nearly went off about 20 times but I managed to keep my head calm.”
Coates lamented: “It’s been barmy. Starting from 10th, it was never going to be easy. Everything that could’ve fallen into Jack’s hands did in that race.”
After a season of such tight margins, it was fitting that the final gap between the two was just five points as the Clio Cup departed the British Touring Car support package in style. And with another of its regular features over the years: a Clio on its roof, Thompson bowing to the crowd after a penultimate lap incident.