Northfleet racing driver Brett Lidsey produced a spectacular performance in challenging wet weather at Snetterton 300 Circuit on Sunday, 29th July, to secure two very well-deserved Renault UK Clio Cup points finishes from back-of-the-grid starts. 
Following a luckless qualifying period at the Norfolk track on Saturday, 28th July, where the MRM driver missed the bulk of the session after tagging a barrier early on, he had to begin race one of the weekend from the back.

Lining-up in 22nd position for the rain-hit round 11 on Sunday morning as a result, Lidsey pieced together a sensational opening lap to scythe his way into 13th place and he climbed as high as ninth before ending the encounter in 13th – a gain of nine positions on his starting slot.

In round 12 later in the day, which was also affected by rain, Lidsey again produced a masterclass of an opening lap to rocket into 16th position from 23rd and last on the grid and he then went on to conclude the encounter inside the top 15 once more.

“We had two busy races this weekend, starting at the back for both it was all about damage limitation – I’m really pleased with the results”, said the Liftout, GHR Scaffolding Ltd, GPL Projects Ltd, Certus Security, Dornack, Taylor Made Decals and MS Motorsport backed racer, “Everyone was clattering into each other, as usual, so I just had to pick my moments and be a bit careful too.

“I had nothing to lose, whatever the conditions, but I had to be sensible out there as well as it was so greasy. The car has been working really well this weekend, we were quick in the dry in testing and it was only the off in qualifying that meant we weren’t in the top 10 for the races. Considering we haven’t tested in the wet, I’m really happy with the pace and performance in both races.” 

Making his first race outing at Snetterton in four years, Lidsey headed into the weekend in terrific form after a great performance in pre-event testing on Friday, 27th July. Lapping with the 10th fastest time in session one, just over 0.6 seconds outside the top four, in the second session he was an improved ninth quickest and little more than half a second away from the top three.

Overnight thunderstorms at Snetterton threatened to deliver wet conditions for qualifying on Saturday morning, but in the end a dry track awaited the competitors. Unfortunately for Lidsey, though, a repeat of his testing performance wasn’t possible when a luckless excursion early-on meant he would have to start race one of the weekend from 22nd on the 23-car grid.

With a huge amount of work to do from the back, Lidsey lined-up for the first of Sunday’s two races determined to make up as much ground as possible and with persistent rain having arrived, leading to a very wet track surface, an action-packed encounter was certainly in prospect.

Making a clean start in the extremely slippery conditions, Lidsey made a good launch from the line and positioned his Clio perfectly over the course of the first lap to pick off numerous cars. As several drivers got out of shape, Lidsey didn’t put a wheel wrong and sliced his way into 13th place.

Moving into 12th at Agostini on lap two, he soon grabbed 11th with a fantastic pass at the Bomb Hole a lap later and on the fourth tour he climbed into the top 10. Challenged by championship leader Max Coates on lap five at the Esses, Lidsey swiftly hit back at the Bomb Hole but Coates had better drive out of the chicane into lap six which edged Lidsey back to 11th again.

Then, into the Wilson hairpin, he unfortunately slid wide under braking and dropped to 14th place but did gain a position back on lap eight to end the 10 lap encounter in 13th spot. Notably, his best lap of the race was an impressive sixth quickest overall.

Rain had ceased prior to round 12 later in the afternoon but when the skies opened again just before the end of the green flag lap, officials elected to permit all drivers to fit wet-weather Michelin tyres so the start was delayed.

When the contest finally got underway, Lidsey made a great start from 23rd and last on the grid and, as in race one, he stormed through the order. Surging into 16th place over the course of the opening tour, Lidsey maintained the position into lap two before the Safety Car was deployed when Paul Rivett spun out at the exit of the Esses.

Racing resumed on lap four and the MRM driver made a great re-start, pressuring Aaron Thompson and then passing his rival for 15th place out of Riches. Into the infield on lap five Lidsey got alongside Ben Colburn and did squeeze through into 14th position, before then being held out wide and edged down to 16th place.

Determined to hit back he ran tight behind Colburn and when Sam Osborne slid off into the gravel at Riches on lap six, Lidsey moved back into the top 15 where he remained to the flag at the end of the ninth tour.

Next on the Clio Cup schedule is a visit to Rockingham International Super Sportscar Circuit in Northamptonshire just a fortnight from now, over the weekend 11th/12th August, for rounds 13 and 14 of the season.