Jack Young scores victory in Clio Cup Open at Hockenheim

Jack Young made it three wins from four races on the international stage in 2019 this past weekend (July 27/28) as he took centre stage at the Formula 1 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, triumphing in both Clio Cup Open races.

One of seven drivers to represent the Renault UK Clio Cup, the Northern Irishman continued his rich vein of form overseas to add another win to his two victories picked up at Paul Ricard in June.

In sweltering conditions, the Eddie Stobart Racing teenager was the driver to beat in qualifying as he swept his way to pole position for both races. The grid for the opening encounter had plenty for UK fans to cheer about as James Ross and Ben Colburn made it a Great Britain 1-2-3.

Lining up on pole position, Young converted his front row start into a lead that he would ultimately never lose in race one. Powering off the line, the #1 machine controlled proceedings at the head of the field for all 12 laps, despite soaking up race-long pressure from Ross.

Taking the chequered flag by little over two seconds, Young recorded his fourth Clio Cup Open win in just under a year whilst Ross picked up his maiden podium in the competition.

Westbourne Motorsport’s Ben Colburn had ran as high as third but lost out to Tomas Pekar and ultimately crossed the line in fourth.

MRM Racing’s Brett Lidsey was sixth, James Colburn was 13th, Tyler Lidsey 15th, Aaron Thompson 16th and Luke Warr, who rounded out the British competitors, was 21st.

Starting on pole position for the second race of the weekend, Young came within touching distance of making it another dream performance before being hit by the stewards. Replicating his performance on Saturday with another lights-to-flag victory, celebrations were short-lived as he was hit with a 30-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.

Young therefore dropped from first to tenth, ending his hopes of clinching another clean sweep. Among the beneficiaries of Young’s penalty was Ben Colburn, who was promoted into third place to claim his second Open podium of the year.

James Colburn served up a battling performance as he scythed his way through the field, starting 12th and bringing his Westbourne Motorsport machine home to a sixth place finish.

Thompson and both Lidsey brothers endured a torrid time as they all failed to finish whilst Warr just missed out on a top 15 finish, bringing his machine home in 16th place.

All seven drivers will now return to the UK to prepare for the latest rounds of the Renault UK Clio Cup, which take place at Snetterton this coming weekend (August 3/4).