Dixon Leads Home Well Behaved Race One
The first AirAsia Clio Cup race of the weekend on Saturday saw TCR driver James Dixon lead from lights to flag, and close the gap on title rival Paul Rivett at the top of the standings. He lead home the pack with an impeccable drive, with the chasing pack showing an excellent level of driving standard, keeping the race incident free.
Starting from pole, with teammate Tom Grice alongside him, Dixon made the perfect start and didn’t look back from there. Grice on the other hand made a poor start dropping back two places to fourth.
“We’re obviously delighted to have taken another win, James did a great job and drove a faultless race from pole really”, said TCR team principal Lee Brookes.
Ater the race, he dedicated the win during the podium celebrations to former team boss Graham Pearce who sadly passed away recently.
The lightning start of Westbourne Motorsport’s James Colburn saw him leapfrog Tom Grice and Jack Goff into second place with Goff tucking in behind in third. He could not progress any further though and maintained second place without really challenging Dixon at the front.
“From the start I felt that I had the pace to push James for the win but at mid distance my tyres started to drop off and I knew that he couldn’t be caught,” he said. “I’m delighted to take second position from a fifth place start.”
Third went to Team Pyro’s Jack Goff who also started third on the grid. Despite a little tangle at one point with Tom Grice who was chasing behind, he kept on a strong pace and didn’t let the leaders pull away from him.
“I’m really pleased with this afternoons result as it adds to my podium results earlier on in the season” he said. “I felt that I had good race pace, and managed to keep up with the front runners for most of the race.”
Outside of the top four, and to the delight of James Dixon was fifth placed finisher and Championship leader Paul Rivett. Rivett only qualified in fourth, and was only passed by James Colburn. Despite his usual good pace he was unable to make any impressions further up the field and his lead at the top of the table was cut.
The grid for Sundays race was also decided in Saturday, with Dixon taking pole again this time from Rivett. Jack Goff started third again, with Colburn, Aron Smith and Tom Grice completing he top six.
Photo Credit: Richard Devine
Richard Devine
