UK ELF Clio Cup 2007 at Thruxton – ROUND 3
Round 3 of the Clio Cup was a successful race weekend for 20 year-old Lanik and the Youth 4 Human Rights Race Team. The British Touring Car championship was held at Hampshire’s famous race circuit, Thruxton - UK’s fastest racing circuit, averaging speeds of 100mph.
Qualifying took place on Saturday morning. The Miracle Dry Wash sponsored driver, Niki, was 0.8 seconds off pole position, never having been at Thruxton before this was quite an achievement. This earned him 6th on the grid for Saturday’s heat. Niki had an average start in the heat, loosing 2 places through the famous “complex”, a double chicane. Niki then fought back immediately overtaking Benham on the inside of Goodwood, a 120mph corner. Lanik then finished a solid 7th, being only 7 seconds off the leader of the race. 8th place was 8 seconds behind Niki. “The car is handling so much better compared to the set-up we had at the test day 3 weeks ago.” Niki commented “I’m really back on the pace now!”
Sunday attracted live TV coverage and well over 20,000 enthusiastic spectators. Having finished 7th the day before, this put Niki 13th on the grid out of 38 starters. While on the start grid, strapped into the 205hp Clio race car, Niki was interviewed by the live TV crew about his success in the 2006 Winter Cup and the current 2007 season. It was then time for all team and TV crew to vacate the grid and the warm-up lap began. Once everybody was aligned back on the grid they were ready to start racing. Niki was off to a great start, not losing places. Being cautious through-out the first section of the track, Niki lost 2 places, but on the next corner got his place back, having dived down the inside of Phil House, double VW Beetle Champion. Niki then continued overtaking more cars with ease, passing the race winner of Round 1, Ed Pead, at 120mph on the last lap. “The car felt so balanced during this race, and it felt especially good overtaking Ed Pead!” Niki exclaimed. Niki finished in 9th over the line, only 1.2 seconds behind 3rd place finisher, Ben Winrow. “Niki was 2nd quickest out there today, and that is great news! He’s happy with the set-up, and without doubt we’ll soon have a podium finish.” commented Colin Stancombe, the team’s chief engineer.
Round 4 of the Clio Cup will take place at Croft supporting the British Touring Car Championship once again. “I think we can do very well at Croft. I won a race there in the Winter Cup, and also with 2 test days before the race weekend I’m sure we can perfect the car’s set-up to the track.” reckons Niki.
The Youth 4 Human Rights Race Team promotes Human Rights and the “30 Rights, 30 Ads” DVD. The race team is sponsored by Miracle Dry Wash (www.miracledrywash.com), G&G Vitamins (www.GandGvitamins.com), Luxury Sign Design (www.lsdsign.co.uk) and Wealden Workwear (www.wwpe.co.uk). For more information about the race team, log onto www.Y4HR.com or e-mail the team directly on Y4HR@vibrant.ms.
