Part of Paul Rivett’s prize package for taking the 2011 AirAsia Clio Cup UK title, was a full test in a Eurocup Megane Trophy racecar. This past weekend, Rivett headed to the Barcelona round of the World Series by Renault to claim his prize.

The 3.5 litre V6 powered Megane’s are a far cry from the 2.0 litre Clio that Rivett won the Championship in, and the UK Champion couldn’t have been in better hands as he linked up with Oregon Team; home of 2011 Megane Eurocup Champion Stefano Comini.

For the first time that Rivett had ever driven the car, and the circuit, he was certainly not fazed. After easing himself into things during the morning session,  at the end of the day he was placed way up the order in eighth in the combined standings for his sessions.

Afterwards he said; “I won this year’s UK Clio Cup and it’s a pleasure to be driving a Megane Trophy car today. This is my first drive on this track and in this car, and my aim in the first session was to feel my way into things. After that I upped the pace. It’s good to have time to work with the team engineers between the two sessions because it lets you see so many things. I’m really happy to be taking part in testing here.

While his plans for 2012 may not yet be complete, a solid showing in such a test in a World Series event is yet another confidence boost for the Triple Champion.

Photo: Jean-Michel Le Meur (Courtesy of Renault-Sport.com)

Richard Devine is our Renault Clio Cup correspondant for 2012. You can contact him at richard@btcccrazy.co.uk or on twitter at @ricker666.