Thruxton Michelin Clio Cup debut draws closer

After what seems like an eternity since the thrilling championship curtain-raiser for the Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and Road Series at Rockingham last month, the 2015 campaign will make its eagerly awaited resumption at Thruxton in Hampshire just over two weeks from now on 13th/14th June.

Marking the first ever visit to the 2.35-mile track for both categories, rounds four and five of the season will also deliver championship debuts for two drivers at opposite ends of the experience spectrum – former British GT Class champion and British Touring Car Championship front-runner Matt Allison (Norwich) and promising 16-year-old talent James Dorlin (Barnsley).

Allison, who enjoyed great success in the BTCC-supporting Renault UK Clio Cup before graduating into British GT and touring cars, has been away from full-time action since 2008 and was expected to make his Michelin Clio Cup Race Series bow at Rockingham.

An unfortunate accident in testing, however, put the brakes on those plans so the racing returnee – who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on the Saturday of the Thruxton meeting – is hungrier than ever to be back in action with his privately entered Intercity Racing team.

“I’m really looking forward to Thruxton and getting our season started”, said the 2005 Renault UK Clio Cup Winter Series Champion, “After such a disappointing start in testing during the pre-season, everyone at Intercity Racing is absolutely raring to go.”

Dorlin, meanwhile, only celebrated his 16th birthday the weekend after the season opening race meeting so he was unable to participate in the first three rounds. Arriving in the Race Series as the reigning Junior Saloon Car Champion, the teenager boosts the Westbourne Motorsport entry to three cars in the headline category.