Rivett takes flag in front of massive TV audience

11:46am Wednesday 16th April 2008

Banstead's Paul Rivett won round four of the 2008 ELF Renault Clio Cup on Sunday, a race shown live on ITV4 to hundreds of thousands of UK motorsport fans, writes Simon Murphy.

The 29-year-old's win came after a solid podium finish in round three earlier in the day at Northamptonshire's Rockingham circuit, placing him second overall as he chases an unprecedented third Clio Cup title.

After his second win of the season, Rivett was invited to the temporary ITV4 studio to give an interview with programme host Ted Kravitz, known for his Formula One presenting duties.

Round four was interrupted on lap one by an accident that forced the safety car on to the circuit for five laps.

When racing resumed, Rivett stayed hot on the heels of race leader Ben Winrow, using his experience to try to force the younger driver into an error.

With just three laps remaining, Rivett gathered momentum through Gracelands and, after dummying to the inside at Tarzan hairpin, switched to the outside.

Although he ran wide, Rivett, a glazier by trade, was able to complete the pass and take the lead.

Although Winrow did his best to fight back in the closing stages, nothing could prevent Rivett from taking the win.

Round three, held as one of the support races for the British Touring Car Championship, saw Rivett surge from fifth on the grid into third place by the end of lap one.

Unfortunately, he gotd a nudge from his JHR Developments team-mate Richard Cannon that affected the rear of the car and the handling.

As a result, while Winrow was able to lead ahead of Gavin Pyper, the Banstead man was unable to close the gap until the final stages of the race when the margin was too wide to bridge.

Commenting on the weekend, Rivett said: "I think it was an error by Ben braking too early for the corner, but they're the chances you have to take advantage of.

"Qualifying didn't go too well but our race pace is not a problem.

"In the first race, I was having a few problems with the car that stopped me from pushing at 100 per cent but that's one of those things.

"I did start to catch the guys in front towards the end - unfortunately, it's not much good at the end!

"It's early in the season but I can't complain with the way things have started for me."

Rounds five and six of the 2008 ELF Renault Clio Cup take place at Donington Park National circuit on May 3-4.

Championship standings (after four rounds): 1 Ben Winrow 124, 2 Paul Rivett 117, 3 Aron Smith 66.

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