The team returned to Brands Hatch for the finals rounds of the Dunlop Motorsport News Saloon Car Championship as part of an impressive bill including the end of year Truck Superprix ensuring a healthy crowd for the last meeting of the season.
Going into the final meeting the Clubman was locked in a dogfight for second position in the championship with a number of contenders in with a realistic chance of finishing in the runners up position. The Clubman would need to bag a brace of class wins to take the runner up position.

Qualifying

After steady rain throughout the early part of the day the weather improved prior to the qualifying session and the decision was made to send the Clubman out on slicks as the track would improve throughout the session and with no further rain likely the wet tyres would overheat as the track dried. The Clubman began the session cautiously looking to build tyre temperature before committing to a hot lap. Track conditions continued to improve and the Clubmans times came down as the circuit dried, however the session was cut short as a SEAT went off at Paddock Hill Bend and the session was red flagged to allow the recovery of the stranded car.

The recovery was delayed and the decision was taken not to run the rest of the qualifying session – this was a major setback for the Clubman and other slick shod competitors that would have reaped the benefits of the drying track in the closing stages of the qualifying session. The curtailed session saw the Clubman lining up mid grid and 3rd in class ensuring there was plenty of work to do during the races.

Race 1

By the time of the first race the circuit was dry and the impressive grid all lined up on slick tyres. The Clubman got a good get away from the rolling start and held position on a busy opening lap tucking in behind its two class rivals who were immediately ahead. The opening phase of the race was interrupted by the safety car that was deployed to allow the recovery of a rolled Fiesta but when the action got back underway the Clubman was straight onto the offensive.

The Clubman soon cut past its class rival Escort and set about the Nova ahead. Another decisive move saw the Clubman take the position from the Nova and take the class lead. With its rivals now in line astern behind it the Clubman set about opening a gap and was soon gaining on an Astra and BMW MINI ahead. The Clubman sought to get some cars between itself and its class rivals and was soon able to pass the MINI and close onto the Astras bootlid. The two cars went wheel to wheel as each looked for a decisive advantage, the battle went one way and then the other with the two cars separated by inches. The Clubman finally scythed past and was able to close the door on the Astra preventing it regaining the position. The Clubman held off the Astra to take the chequered flag and with it a class win.

Race 2

Having checked the points positions after the first race the Clubman could guarantee second overall with another class win and the race strategy was devised accordingly. The Clubman would be starting at the front of its class thanks to the result of the first race so the Clubman would only need to hold off its class rivals to take second, no risks were to be taken getting involved in dogfights with cars from other classes especially as the track slippery due to the weather and detritus from the trucks.

The Clubman made a cautious start electing not to take any risks on the opening lap and was passed by the BMW MINI and Astra. With its class rivals also dropping positions the Clubman was comfortably leading the class and was able to control its race pace and take no unnecessary risks allowing others to pass without risking contact. The controlled approach saw the Clubman take the chequered flag for its second class win of the meeting finishing comfortably ahead of its class rivals.

The points collected during the weekend cemented the Clubmans position as Class D champion and also secure second overall in the Championship, a superb result for the team and their sponsors after an intense season of racing. The Clubman has once again proved to be a thorn in the side of larger more powerful machinery, the team will now begin the off season maintenance programs on the competition cars in readiness for next season.