Worthing driver finishes campaign on a high

JAMES Colburn ended his 2011 Air Asia Renault Clio Cup campaign on a high at the weekend despite failing to clinch his maiden championship at the Brands Hatch GP circuit.

Despite, the Worthing driver successfully converting a second-place qualifying performance into a race win – which was his first of the season to put him leading the championship going into the final race of the season 24 hours later.

That victory gave him a slender lead in the championship of just three points heading into round 16 and the final race of the 2011 season, although he failed to maintain his spot at the top, eventually finishing the season in a respectable third place - as although tied in second, his dropped back on races won.

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On his first race, when Colburn also had a safety car to contend with after a collision with two midfield runners, said: “I had a mega start off the line and managed to take the lead into the first.”

Starting sixth on the grid for the final race, Colburn made another great start and was into third by the first corner; however dropped back to fourth after a mistimed gear-shift.

Colburn said: “We were just about staying with the leading three cars however I decided on a setup change for the car but it backfired and it was the wrong thing to do - but hey that’s racing.

“I’m very pleased with third place in the championship and we’ve had a fantastic year with everyone at Westbourne Motorsport.”

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Looking ahead to next year, Colburn has been rewarded with a test session in a V6 Renault Megane Trophy Car which he thinks will be an amazing experience and is keeping all options open for his 2012 season.