Tom Barley is enjoying his debut season in the Michelin Clio Cup Series and the switch that he made to the ultra-competitive race series.

Last time out it was a visit to his home track for the Kent Sports News driver, and it was very much a tale of two races.

A fifth place finish on the Saturday afternoon in the glorious sunshine was tempered by a non-finish in the wet Sunday race on Sunday morning.

Speaking after the race weekend, Tom said: “It’s the highs and lows of racing as everyone says, yesterday was brilliant and I had a really really strong race. I was really happy with the pace in that race and I came home in fifth place which was great.

“Then today it was just a case of impatience, I was a bit too confident I felt very quick and tried to make the move too soon to get up to the podium. I locked up and the rest is history.”

The weather conditions on the Sunday leant themselves to an entertaining race with incidents a plenty, something that could have happened to anyone let alone Tom.

He added: “I think it sort of comes with the territory when it is this wet, you can barely see the car in front of you going down the straight. I kind of had a mind-set that I was going to get on the podium or not do very well at all.

“Maybe I should have just held back a lap or two more and maybe we would have been alright but that is racing. The car is in one piece and it is just my dignity which has taken a big hit.”

Reflecting on his first season in the Michelin Clio Cup Series what has been a successful first full season, currently sitting in eighth in the title race.

He said: “It has been really good actually, I have been really quite happy. I have left every weekend with strong pace which stands me in good stead for next year. I should be more on the front foot, but yeah I am really happy with how it is going.

“Consistency is key and the first podium of the year is awaiting me, I should have really had it today but that wasn’t to be. I really think that going into next year with the performances from this year I will be in a really good position.”

Tom is looking forward to Oulton Park which will be his last round of the season due to other racing commitments in the last round of the season.

He added: “It is Oulton Park only for me, I am not doing Silverstone because I am off to Spa to do a bit of racing out there. Lucky me, but yeah Oulton Park this weekend. I will try and leave with a slightly better feeling than I have today, maybe with a podium that would be nice.”

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