UK ELF Clio Cup 2007 at Rockingham – ROUND 2
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!”
With only 0.6 seconds of pole, Niki earned himself and the Miracle Dry Wash Clio 7th on the gird for the race. He had a great start, and staying out of trouble, managed to slot back into 7th place after being 9th before the first corner. The next few laps Eagling, Herron and Lanik were fighting for 5th place. Niki got into 6th for a few corners, but then was forced to back off and let Herron take the place. “I was all over their bumpers, but somehow could never find a place to get by! But I’m very happy about this weekend. I was definitely quicker than them according to the time sheets, while looking at the sector times and speed traps.” Niki explained “I’m really going for a top 5 finish at Round 3.” Niki finished in 7th place in that race, only being 5 seconds behind the winner of the race, Robert Lawson – 8th place was over 7 seconds behind Niki.
The next race will be held at the UK’s fastest race circuit, Thruxton in Andover, on 5th/6th May. The Clio Cup race cars average 100mph, and reach speeds up to 140mph.
The Y4HR UK Car Racing Team’s idea is to support the subject of Human Rights. The race team is sponsored by Miracle Dry Wash (www.miracledrywash.com), G&G Food Supplies (www.GandGvitamins.com), Wealden Workwear (www.wwpe.co.uk), and Luxury Sign Design (www.lsdsign.co.uk). Within the next few months the race team will acquire a 2nd car and race driver, JJ Vannier. JJ Vannier is a pole setting, lap record setting, race winning Fiesta driver from the 750MC Stock Hatch series – Niki’s race mate from two seasons ago. If you would like to know more about the Y4HR UK Car Racing Team or advertise on the race car, feel free to visit the team’s website, www.Y4HR.com, or e-mail them on Y4HR@vibrant.ms.
