UK ELF Clio Cup 2007 at Thruxton – ROUND 11+12
NIKI Lanik and the Youth 4 Human Rights Racing Team, supporting the worthy cause of Human Rights, raced at Thruxton last weekend qualifying 8th and 4th for the final 2 rounds of the 2007 Clio Cup Championship. Saturday’s race was ended due to a crash involving Niki Lanik and four other top drivers – they all walked away un-hurt but shocked. The weekend was action packed with LIVE Sky coverage, ITV Sport shooting teams, and 25,000+ motorsport enthusiasts, all accompanied by perfect weather.
Thruxton, the Hampshire-based racing circuit, is famous for being the fastest circuit in Britain. Niki Lanik’s Clio race car averages 100mph per lap, reaching a mere 140mph on the long straight. The Austrian race driver, Lanik, was looking very good in the 30-minute qualifying session, setting two good laps earning him 8th and 4th on the grid out of well over 30 keen racing drivers. To add some more fun to motor racing a friend helped the team out and brought over some grid girls from a professional touring car racing team. Paige & Tillie, both British models, come to all the Clio Cup race meetings. “They were awesome! This is one of the things many motorsport enthusiasts love. They love the competition, they love the racing and the crashes, but they also love all the grid girls!” Niki said proudly.
20-year old Niki Lanik had a great start from the 8th slot on the grid in Saturday’s race. Due to a safety car incident Niki was forced to settle in 9th place for the time being, but once the safety car period was over, Niki stormed through the field all the way to 5th position, overtaking the championship leader, Martin Byford, during his charge. Niki then challenged 3rd and 4th placed Ben Winrow and Paul Rivett, 3 laps before the end of the race, when suddenly Niki’s steering went light. The two other drivers encountering the same phenomenon and Niki had no control whatsoever sliding off the track and hitting the crashed cars of the 1st and 2nd place racers, Robert Lawson and Chris Hodgetts. All drivers including Niki were not injured, but to say the least, quite shocked.
“It was very strange. None of us saw really saw the yellow flags, and we don’t have comm systems with our pit lane team, so us top 5 drivers, being 2-3 seconds apart, had no idea what the situation at the chicane was, so we all slid on the oil and crashed.” Commented Niki
“I’ve never been in such a heavy accident. I came off the road at 60-70mph and hit the back of another stationary crashed car, and it didn’t feel that good! All us top 5 drivers were annoyed. But what can you do, this is motorsport!”
The Youth 4 Human Rights Race Team’s car was fixed over night by Colin Stancombe and his engineering team, Stancombe Vehicle Engineering. “When I was in the crash I thought my car was written off, and when I saw it afterwards it didn’t look as bad as I expected it. I had no idea that I would be racing again with it the next day, but I did! So a big thanks to the team, especially Colin Stancombe.” Lanik mentioned.
Starting 4th on the grid in front of 25,000 live spectators and live TV coverage, Niki made an excellent start edging into 3rd place by the Complex, the first chicane. Niki then lost out by being pushed wide and being forced to take the wrong racing line through the corner, loosing him 3 places. Running in 6th place, Niki was charging back through the field about to make the move into 5th place, until there was a knock from the rear right of his race car – somebody had braked too late and tapped the Austrian Lanik off the track, hitting the wall at 10mph and dropping to dead last. Niki couldn’t believe this, and got his car off the grass and drove to the pit to get his geometry on the suspension set-up checked. He went back out half a lap behind 2nd last place. Niki was then able to catch up and finish in 20th place. The driver that knocked Niki off was told off and penalised. The “move” was considered “appalling”.
“It was a tough season. All top 10 drivers are who have won the Clio Cup before or other Championships, ranging from the Madzda MX5 championship to Formula 3. I really learnt a lot this year, especially racing with those top drivers, and most importantly realising that I can actually beat them. I’ve beaten most of them in races, but not all of them at once in one race. Next year there is no excuse. The team and I will be up there in the top 5 in the majority of races in 2008’s championship.” explained the 2006 Clio Cup Winter Champion, 20-year old Lanik.
The Youth 4 Human Rights UK Race Team and Niki Lanik are considering defending their Winter Championship title for the second year coming. The team is now selling advertisement space for the 2007 Winter Championship, which Niki is planning to secure for the 2nd year in a row. If you would like to support this or find out more about the team or Niki Lanik, log onto www.Y4HR.com or www.NikiLanik.com, or send an e-mail to Y4HR@vibrant.ms or niki@lanik.info. The team promotes the worthy cause of Human Rights, and is sponsored by four local companies – Miracle Drywash (Crawley), G&G Vitamins (Felbridge), Wealden Workwear (East Grinstead) and Luxury Sign Design (Lingfield). If you’d like to sponsor the Youth 4 Human Rights Race Team for the 2008 race season, e-mail Vibrant Motorsports Limited on info@vibrant.ms and they will be happy to sort out a pack and presentation for you.
