Clarke Wins On His Return
24th May 2010
Stuart Clarke from Track2Test won on his return to the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup at Snetterton earlier this month driving his Tesco Momentum 99 branded Astra VXR. Having agreed the deal after the season started, Stuart missed the first round at Rockingham in April, so he started at round 2 at Snetterton. Qualifying didn’t go to plan and Stuart ended up seventh.
Race 1 was very wet. Stuart starting from seventh on the grid had some work to do. After the first lap he had got up to 4th and was heading for the front. The race was very eventful throughout and heading into Coram on lap 5 Stuart’s life was made a little harder when he went off backwards exiting the corner. He managed to keep the car going and came back on without losing a place and then set about chasing down second place which he caught and past to secure second place.
Race 2 was dry and saw Stuart start from the front row and into Riches, turn 1, he took the lead going around the outside of the pole man and set about pulling away but this was going to be tough as second place had a strong car. On lap 4 Stuart’s luck was made a little easier when second place had a problem and retired. Thinking all he had to do was bring it home, he was wrong! Halfway through the race a driveshaft went, thinking he had a puncture Stuart took it a little easier to see if he was right and what the car was doing but this allowed the new second place to catch him up. He fended off second with some very close racing and just pulled out a gap to secure his first win of the year.
Race 3, the grid was drawn from a pack of cards by Stuart, having won the previous race, he pulled 4th place out for his starting position and having to carry 45kgs as success ballast from winning Race 2. Stuart had a good start and set off for the front. The extra weight does make a difference and having a fight for third position for most of the race Stuart finished up in 4th with the first four cars covered by 1.4secs!
Next round is at Oulton Park on May Bank Holiday weekend as part of the Dunlop Great & British package.
