More Wins and Podiums at Rockingham
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Round 4: Paul Rivett left it late before passing Ben Winrow to clinch victory in round four of the 2008 ELF Renault Clio Cup at Rockingham International circuit on Sunday, 13th April. Just three laps remained when the double former champion took advantage of the slightest of errors from Winrow, winner of rounds two and three. Rivett’s JHR Developments team-mate Richard Cannon (Chesterfield) scored his maiden career podium in third place. The start of the race, being shown live on ITV4 as part of the channel’s British Touring Car Championship coverage, was overshadowed by an accident involving a heavy impact with the perimeter concrete wall at Turn One. Alex Osborne and Niki Lanik brushed wheels, turning them towards the inside of the circuit and into Lea Wood. He then speared across the circuit collecting Rob Boston (Doncaster), both cars hitting the wall with great force. The Safety Car was needed in order to recover the cars and when racing resumed on lap seven, the race for the remaining 26 cars was now running to the maximum time of 25 minutes that would allow a total of 14 laps. Winrow led from Paul Rivett with Richard Cannon having passed Carl Bradley for third. Lap 12 saw the crucial move of the race when Rivett gathered momentum through Gracelands to enable him to challenge Winrow. After dummying to the inside at Tarzan hairpin, Rivett switched to the outside and although he ran wide, Winrow opted not to squeeze him out allowing the 2002 and 2004 Clio Cup champion into the lead. As the race entered its final lap, Rivett’s rear bumper began to flap as the wear and tear of racing nose-to-tail with Winrow for the entire race became evident. The experienced Rivett refused to be distracted, taking the chequered flag 0.442s ahead of Winrow with Cannon holding off Bradley and Bell for third place after coming under increasing pressure. Commenting on his race win, Paul Rivett said: “I think it was an error by Ben braking too early for the corner but they’re the chances you have to take advantage of. Qualifying didn’t go too well but our race pace is not a problem. It’s early in the season but I can’t complain with the way things have started for me.” Third-placed Cannon, celebrating his first-ever podium in only his second season of racing said: “It feels fantastic to get up onto the podium. I’ve been quick in testing here before the rain in qualifying worked against me a bit, but I started well in both races and that’s paid off this afternoon.”
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