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Files narrowly misses out on win in first Clio Cup encounter at Donington Park

Team Pyro’s Josh Files took a second place away from the first of this weekend’s two Renault UK Clio Cup encounters at the world-renowned Donington Park circuit today (Saturday 20th April).

Files initially dominated the top of the timesheets in qualifying, which took place under clear skies and bright sunshine. However, the Norwich-based driver was eventually pipped to pole by a late-charging Paul Rivett and started the first Clio Cup race in the East Midlands from second on the grid with a best time of 1m18.067s.

The Vocalink-backed driver was under pressure from behind as the field streamed towards Redgate corner for the first time, after getting bogged down away from the line.

He managed to cling on to second place but, with the chasing pack bunching up into turn one, pole-man Rivett was already some way up the road.

However, Files soon set into a rhythm and began pumping in quick laps to hunt down the race leader. The gap diminished with every lap and the 22-year old soon found himself nailed to Rivett’s tailgate.

The leading pair were nose-to-tail as they entered the final lap, forcing the multiple Clio Cup Champion to take a defensive line that prevented Files from attacking for the lead.

“I’m delighted to have finished second, if not slightly frustrated that I wasn’t able to get passed Rivett,” said Files. “I got bogged down away from the start and this meant I had to make up a lot of ground to catch the leader before I could even think about attacking him.”

“I kept taking one or two tenths of a second out of his advantage but we just ran out of laps. But I arrived at Donington hoping for podiums, so it’s a brilliant start and I hope for more of the same tomorrow.”

For all information regarding Josh Files and his racing activity in the Renault UK Clio Cup please view his Facebook page, or alternatively follow @JoshFiles on Twitter.