After an eventful start to the year, defending Time Attack champion Olly Clark has reclaimed his top spot as number one driver in the points standings of the 2009 Time Attack Championship.
The Leicestershire driver wowed crowds at last weekend’s Silverstone round in a display of car control that would doubtless have made his father, the late, great Roger Clark MBE, extremely proud. Whereas most racers were keeping things nice and tidy on the super-quick circuit, Clark showed his rallying roots by hustling his Subaru Impreza through many of the corners in power slides that proved to be a big hit with spectators.
Despite this exuberant style, Clark was able to destroy his own previous lap record on the circuit by over a full second, touching 165 mph on the straights and putting himself clear at the top of the standings by some 80 points. His time of just 57.9 seconds is over 3 seconds faster than the current BTCC lap record, despite all Time Attack cars having to run a Toyo control ROAD LEGAL tyre. Roger Clark Motorsport are also one of the few top teams not running a professional race driver, with Olly Clark spending most of his time in his true role as service manager at the family’s Subaru parts and tuning business.
On collecting his winners laurel, Olly was quick to thank the team and those who got him there. ‘I truly couldn’t have done this without the ceaseless engineering work of my brother Matt and our team back at RCM.’ he beamed. ‘Also today, the incredible stopping power of our new AP carbon brakes proved to be a decisive factor in our win, as I was able to brake far later and deeper in to the corners than I could last season. I would also like to thank our technical partners; Dave Rowe at Motec, Samco Hoses, Turbo Dynamics and Jason from MP Engineering for everything that they have done to help get us here. It really means a lot. Thanks guys!’
The car, the RCM ‘Gobstopper’ as it is affectionately known, has now become one of the most successful competition Subarus in history. Packing 890 BHP in nitrous assisted trim from just 2.0 litres, the engine can rev to an unbelievable 10,500 RPM.. And best of all, it’s all RCM’s own work!
For more details on the extensive RCM range of Subaru components and services, please visit www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk or call the team on 01455 828610.
