Flock happy with start to the Clio Cup challenge

THE long-awaited first round of Clio Cup GB at Brands Hatch GP started on June 1 after successful testing sessions for Daire Flock.

With the round being a one-day event, the enthusiast was to start the day in a positive way.

Securing pole and grabbing second for the second race in a 15th minute qualifying session around the GP Circuit at Brands Hatch was the ideal start for the Tallaght lad.

In Race One, starting on pole, Daire made a slight mistake going into turn three that handed the lead to Nicky Taylor, demoting him to second place.

This started a race long battle between them as Daire was determined to claim the top spot.

With both cars on the limit and the cars equally matched, Daire managed to cross the line twice in the lead, but the positioning of the car allowed Taylor to out-drag Daire to regain the lead by turn two.

With one lap to go Daire pushed hard, unfortunately he crossed the line in 2nd 0.200 seconds behind Taylor.

Race Two saw Daire start from second place on the grid, this was a carbon copy of race 1, except Daire was second and Taylor third. From the first corner Taylor put Daire under extreme pressure lap after lap.

Causing Daire to run wide at the first corner half-way through the race and Taylor passed him, Daire fought back and attacked several corners later to force Taylor into a mistake and regained the position to finish in 2nd.

Daire said: “for my first race on slicks in a new championship to get second in both races I’m extremely happy.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team Westbourne Motorsport and my sponsors, Reactive Welding, Gorilla Design, Rygor Autos, Glenhaze and Media Driven for their continuing support.”

Daire is now looking forward to the next round at Anglesey Trac Mon on 13th July we’re he will be pushing for his first win in the Clio Cup GB.