Results List

• 2009

  • Championship Table
  • Race Calendar
  • Silverstone Test
  • R1 - Brands Hatch
  • R2 - Thruxton
  • R3 - Donington
  • R4 - Oulton Park
  • R5 - Croft
  • R6 - Silverstone
  • R7 - Snetterton
  • R8 - Silverstone
  • R9 - Rockingham
  • R10 - Brands Hatch
  • Mégane Press Release

Saturday 25th April

Glew maintains 100% record in the 2009 Renault Clio Cup

Round 2 Thruxton

Qualifying

Changeable weather conditions greeted the TOCA package on Saturday morning at Thruxton circuit in Hampshire following an overnight down pour.
The circuit was fully dry by the time the Renault Clio’s took to the track and 25 year old Phil Glew from Lincolnshire was confident he could extend his Championship lead following his double victory in the opening races at Brands Hatch.
Glew’s superiority quickly became apparent as he dominated the qualifying session at Thruxton; the fastest and most challenging circuit on the Clio calendar. He clinched pole position for both races in just 8 laps, leaving his tyres in excellent condition for the rest of the weekend. Taking pole boosted Glew’s confidence even further with this being his first ever Clio Pole position.

Race 1

Glew lined his car up on the front row of the grid, comfortable in the knowledge that his closest Championship rival MacDowall was starting back on the 4th row.
The lights went out and Glew made a good get away, Newsham was marginally quicker off the line from second on the grid, taking the lead in to the first corner. Confident in his pace Glew knew he needed to pass Newsham quickly and lunged past him at the first chicane. The move paid off and once Glew regained control of the pack there was no stopping him. By the end of the opening lap he managed to pull out a 2 car length lead and looked unstoppable.

A first lap incident caused mayhem in the mid field, allowing rival MacDowall to make his way up to 2nd place. A four lap safety car period ensued as the damaged cars were removed from the track and the drivers sought medical attention.

Following his experience of leading from behind the safety car at Brands Hatch Glew made an excellent restart and once again dominated the field.
As the race continued Glew extended his lead lap by lap as the rest of the field jostled for position. He continued to push securing the fastest lap of the race, providing him with 2 additional Championship points. Glew crossed the line with a comfortable 3 second lead over MacDowall, further extending his Championship lead and making it 3 in 1!

Sunday 26th April

Race 2

Contrary to the weather forecast the sun was shining at Thruxton on Sunday morning as the crowds filled the grassy banks in anticipation of an exciting days racing.

Following a perfect start to the weekend, Glew was keen to maintain his 100% race win record and starting from pole position stood him in good stead. Team Pyro dominated the front row of the grid as team mate Smith lined up alongside Glew for race 2. Glew knew he had to make a good get away as Smiths car would be set up almost identically and it is notoriously difficult to make a break from the pack in this single make Championship.

The red lights went out and Glew maintained his lead in to the first corner. Newsham made a good start from the second row and passed Smith off the line. A four way battle for 2nd place began between Smith, Newsham, Herron and Robinson, providing Glew with the perfect opportunity to get his head down and increase his lead.
The first 8 laps saw Glew pushing hard and driving a solitary race as his competitors jostled for position. Smith made his way back in to 2nd place followed by Herron and the pair began to slip stream each other and chase Glew down.

Smith looked like he could become a threat to Glew in the closing laps as his early push to break away had taken its toll on his tyres hampering his pace. Glew remained characteristically calm under Smith’s pressure and drove a faultless final lap to take the chequered flag in the lead for the fourth time this season.

An ecstatic Glew commented “I cannot believe what an excellent weekend it has been for me and Team Pyro. I almost feel like I am in a dream and I definitely don’t want it to end! My confidence is growing with every win and I have got my sights set firmly on winning the Championship.”

Phil would like to thank Team Pyro once again for putting such an excellent car together for him. A thank you also goes out to his sponsors, WD-40, 3 in 1 Professional, DAS, STMC, EDGE Sporting events and MayContain.com who make all this possible and show unfaltering support.

We now look forward to round 3 of the ELF Renault Clio Cup at Donington on May 16th and 17th where Phil will continue his Championship campaign.