Fourth win of season for Clio Cup title contender Dixon

Delivering an assured drive under huge pressure throughout Saturday afternoon’s encounter, the 21-year-old didn’t put a wheel wrong as he brilliantly moved back to the top of the championship standings with a seven-point cushion. 

Less than 24 hours later though, in round 12, highly unfortunate contact at the first corner resulted in damaged steering and a bitterly disappointing non-finish. Although able to recover his Clio to the pits, the Total Control Racing team soon diagnosed the problem and so the Kent racer concluded the event where he started at the beginning of the weekend – third in the championship. 

“Saturday’s race was a very sweet result as it was so unexpected from where we were on the grid”, said the ABP Heating, Weidmuller and The Art of Decorating-backed driver, “The points were very good and just what we needed but with no points in the bag from the second race, that’s hurt us quite badly.

“I am disappointed but I know what I’ve got to do over the remaining two events now, we’ve got to qualify on the front row and try and win every race. It’s not going to be easy but I’m going all-out to try and win this championship for me, my sponsors and for TCR.

”Qualifying didn’t quite go to plan for James but, even so, he lined-up fifth on the grid for round 11 and aiming for a podium challenge. Getting away well at the start, he managed to avoid multi-car contact on the run into the hairpin and somehow threaded his way through the carnage to lead. 

Controlling the race brilliantly from the front, James ended lap one a second to the good before almost doubling his advantage on lap two. Rather than pushing to the limit and risking any errors, the TCR man focused on maintaining a decent cushion and claimed a richly deserved victory. 

In Sunday’s 12th round, he started well and maintained his top six slot in the middle of the track as the field headed to Riches for the first time. As he turned for the corner though, Jake Packun’s Clio cut across the side of James’ car and hit his front-left wheel. Although there was no immediately visible damage, the impact resulted in broken steering and a very unfortunate retirement. 

There are now only four races left in the 2011 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK and there is everything to play for. But before the decisive final two meetings of the championship in September and October, at Rockingham and Brands Hatch respectively, James will contest the ‘Cross Channel Challenge’ event at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend 20th/21st August. 

Forming part of the annual World Series by Renault festival, the Clio Cup races at Silverstone don’t form part of the UK title battle but they are expected to be spectacular with drivers from all over Europe invited to take part. James’ participation has been made possible by sponsor Weidmuller. 

Provisional 2011 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK Championship Standings (after Rd12):