Paul Rivett has certainly enjoyed more straightforward weekends during his Renault UK Clio Cup career. A hefty crash in race one left his car badly damaged but he was able to get back out and secure a strong fourth place in race two.
The Tachosys-sponsored driver was caught up in the traditional Donington Park first corner melee in race one and was forced wide. This got dirt on his tyres and led to him spinning off through the Craner Curves, hitting the wall hard.
“I had dirty tyres from being put on the grass and the first time I leant on them was at the Craner Curves,” explained three-time Clio champion Rivett. “I just missed the tyre barrier and hit the concrete wall backwards at about 80mph so I’m feeling pretty sore. It was a massive impact – the biggest one I’ve had in a few years.”
Photo credit: Stopwatch Hospitality/ ITV Sport
Despite the rear of the car being destroyed in the impact, the WDE Motorsport mechanics completed an “incredible job” to get the Clio repaired in time for race two.
Rivett made a great initial start but was then forced slightly wide and was shuffled down to fifth. Despite a hobbled car, he set about climbing up the order but ultimately could only manage fourth, contact from Bradley Burns not helping his cause.
“It was damage limitation as the car was far from straight!” admitted Rivett.
Despite all of the drama, a difficult weekend for some of Rivett’s main rivals meant he left Donington still second in the standings, just five points behind leader Max Coates.
The next rounds of the Clio Cup are at Thruxton on May 19/20.