“Lanik makes solid start”
“MOTORSPORT: Ashurst Wood racer Niki Lanik, racing for the Y4HR Racing Team, made a good start into the new race season last weekend in round two of the Clio Cup at Rockingham Speedway.”
“Lanik finished seventh, only five seconds behind the winner…”
Ashurst Wood race driver, Niki Lanik, racing for the Y4HR (Youth 4 Human Rights) UK Car Racing Team, made a good start into the new race season last weekend at ROUND 2 of the Clio Cup at Rockingham Speedway. With ITV1 filming and 40,000 live spectators it certainly spiced things up a little bit!
Due to the overbooked 2007 Renault Clio Cup, Niki only had two 20 minute test sessions, instead of two 50 minute sessions. With lots of engineering work to do since the disappointing (17th) Brands Hatch race on 1st April, Niki and his engineer (Colin Stancombe) had to take a stab in the dark for the race car’s set-up change. “We changed the camber on both the front and the back of the car. We also dramatically changed the tracking on both ends of the car, and its ride height in the front. And what we got out of it was amazing!” Niki said enthusiastically “I was only 0.6 seconds of pole position!”
“MOTORSPORT: Ashurst Wood-based reigning 2006 Clio Cup Winter Champion driver for the Y4HR UK Car Racing Team Niki Lanik took part in round one of the Elf Renault Clio Cup with Stancombe Vehicle Engineernig, at Brands Hatch.”
Niki Lanik, the reigning 2006 Clio Cup Winter Champion, and the Y4HR (Youth For Human Rights) UK Car Racing Team took part in Round 1 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Stancombe Vehicle Engineering. This was held at Brands Hatch acting as a support race for the British Touring Car Championship – there was live TV coverage and 30,000+ spectators!
It all started Saturday morning when the 19 year old racer, Niki Lanik, and 42 other Clio racers lined up for two 15 minute qualifying sessions. Niki was not too happy with his qualifying as he only qualified 11th for the Saturday’s heat. Niki commented, “I don’t know what it is with Brands Hatch. I just cannot get it right with the Clio – I’ve always been around 0.5 seconds off the pace here.” In the heat Lanik had a great start going into 9th place, but then on the entry of England’s most famous racing corner, Paddock Hill Bend, Rice and Lanik touched wheels, leaving Niki with a badly damaged steering rod for the rest of the race. Even though Niki lost a lot of places on lap 1 of the race, Niki still managed to finish 14th, earning him 28th position for Sunday’s Final. The Winner of this heat was Martin Byford, the 35 year-old MX5 champion.
