UK ELF Clio Cup 2008 at Silverstone – ROUND 17+18
SILVERSTONE was the host of Round 17 + 18 of the 2008 Clio Cup were twenty six keen race drivers were battling around the short 1.64 mile National circuit. 21-year old Austrian race driver, Niki Lanik, who races for a humanitarian cause of promoting Human Rights, was able to start the weekend off well by qualifying 8th and 7th for the two races. He finished 8th and 5th in the two rounds ahead of most of his championship rivals and has moved to 6th position in the overall 2008 Clio Cup standings. Round 18 was an impressive drive by the 21-year old Austrian holding off two of the best names in the racing community, Rivett and Allison, all on top of having a power steering failure.
QUALIFYING was closer than ever, with the top twenty drivers being within 0.646 seconds per lap. Double Winter Cup champion, Niki Lanik, was 0.231 off pole position. “I calculated that if I would have been 0.041 seconds quicker, which is around 2 metres over one lap, I would have qualified 3rd. These close qualifying times always ensures that the racing is very close and entertaining. I’m certainly looking forward to the two races tomorrow.” commented Niki Lanik on the qualifying results.
THE Miracle Drywash-sponsored race driver had a fantastic start for Round 17, storming from 8th on the grid to 5th place by the first corner. Lanik then ran wide at Luffield, loosing some momentum and his position to MacDowall. It was an 18 lap race and Niki now had to make sure he drives consistently to reduce the 0.75 second gap to make the move for 5th. Five laps from the end three drivers in front of Lanik started to battle it out for 3rd position, and Niki was able to catch up and have a piece of the action. Lanik then got into 4th place along the back straight reaching nearly 125mph. He then found himself on the dirty side of the next set of corners and had to let four drivers through in total, to come out 8th across the finish line. “The race was uneventful at first but it certainly got more exciting towards the end. It was my mistake. I was way too nice to the guy I was battling with and shouldn’t have given him so much room.” commented Lanik.
RAIN was forecasted for Sunday’s race, and all drivers were ready to race in monsoon conditions in front of 35,000 spectators. Lanik started 7th on the grid and was able to drive a clean first lap. At the end of the first lap he passed the double Clio Champion, Paul Rivett, for 6th place. The following lap Lanik made a move on another driver which included some contact. Lanik came through into 5th place and was able to drive away. Because of the contact, Niki’s power steering managed to malfunction and Lanik had to drive the entire race with all his muscles. Lanik managed to hold of Rivett and Allison off until the line, were Niki claimed 5th place by just 0.022 seconds. “It was certainly a tough and tiring race because of the conditions, and not to mention the power steering failure. I’m happy about finishing 5th place, and having beat Paul Rivett and the ex-touring car racer, Matt Allison. I’ve also moved back up to 6th place in the overall championship standings for 2008. I’m very happy about this weekend.” commented the Austrian race driver.
The Youth For Human Rights Miracle Drywash Car Racing Team promotes the Youth For Human Rights International movement – www.YouthForHumanRights.org. The team sponsors include Miracle Drywash, GridGirlz, G&G Vitamins, Wealden Workwear, Luxury Sign Design, Neopixel and Street-Racers UK. If you would like to sponsor this humanitarian cause please email Niki Lanik on niki.lanik@gmail.com.
THE 2008 final two rounds will take place at Brands Hatch racing circuit in Kent on 20/21 September. Come and support humanitarian Niki Lanik and the Y4HR Miracle Drywash Race Team. Sunday’s race will be LIVE on ITV4 at 15:00 UK time. For more information visit www.NikiLanik.com.
HIGH RESOLUTION (AND COPYRIGHT FREE) PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON: HTTP://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/Y4HR-RACING-TEAM/
VIDEO OF Silverstone’s Round 18:
Part 1: http://www.renaulttv.co.uk/racecar/elfrenaultcliocup/index49.htm
Part 2: http://www.renaulttv.co.uk/racecar/elfrenaultcliocup/index50.htm
Part 3: http://www.renaulttv.co.uk/racecar/elfrenaultcliocup/index51.htm
