The Renault UK Clio Cup is set for an enthralling climax to its 2018 season at Brands Hatch this weekend (September 29/30) as four drivers go head-to-head for championship glory.
In what has been another vintage year for the one-make series on the TOCA support package, the quartet of Max Coates, Paul Rivett, James Dorlin and Daniel Rowbottom all arrive at the Kent circuit in mathematical contention.
Tackling the iconic Grand Prix layout, a maximum of 56 points will be on offer over the course of the weekend and further twists and turns are set to keep fans on the edge-of-their-seats in the two races that are set to be run.
Pyro Motorsportās Coates heads into the season finale in the pound seat, leading the standings but by only a slender six points. Tipped as one of the favourites for the title in pre-season, Coates has underlined his title credentials with an impressive charge to the summit of the points.
Scoring four wins, one of which a popular home victory at Croft, the Yorkshireman will arrive at Brands Hatch keen to repeat the victory he scored at the 2018 curtain-raiser.
Leading the chase for Coates is WDE Motorsportās Rivett, hungrier than ever to add his already impressive championship tally. Notching two wins and a further seven podiums, Rivett has been a constant thorn in the side of Coates and could yet walk away as champion.
A disqualification at Silverstone last time out for Rivett for an on-track incident however have had a bearing on the points as it stands. With the WDE Motorsport outfit having lodged an appeal against the decision – which will be heard by the MSA National Court at a later date – Rivettās challenge for the title could yet be decided away from the track.
Trailing Rivett by a single point in third place is Westbourne Motorsportās Dorlin. In just his second Clio Cup season, the BRDC Superstar has put his stamp on the series and a run of five wins in the early stages of the year have proven to be the cornerstone of his championship charge.
Whilst the top three are covered by a mere seven points, DRMās Rowbottom sits as the outsider in the title battle, 49 markers behind Coates. A resurgent run of results has vaulted Rowbottom into the picture and the two-time race winner canāt be discounted from contention either.
As the top four get set to duke it out for the title, several other drivers will be looking to sign off their campaigns in style. Bradley Burns, Mike Epps, Lee Pattison, Jack McCarthy and Dan Zelos, amongst many others, will be ones to watch as the weekend unfolds.
Qualifying for the Renault UK Clio Cup weekend of the season is scheduled to take place at 10:55 on Saturday before race one beginning at 16:00 later that day. The final round of the season will be screened live on ITV4 on Sunday, with lights out set for 13:30.
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