THE Formula One season might be up and running following last weekend’s opening round in Australia, but for thousands of British motorsport fans, this weekend’s action at Brands Hatch will be regarded as the real start of another year of competition.

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is firmly established as the most popular motorsport series in the country, with its support series helping contribute to a formula that gets bigger and more successful every year.

The Renault UK Clio Cup has long been one of the main supports to the BTCC, and is widely regarded as a stepping stone to the main touring-car circuit. Having caught the eye in his first full season in the Clio Cup last year, Scorton driver Max Coates is determined to use the next six months as a springboard to the glitz and glamour of the BTCC.

Raised on the North-East karting scene, Coates competed on the Ginetta Junior circuit and also drove in the Porsche Carrera Cup as he attempted to secure a works contract to help further his ambitions.

Last season was his first with Accrington-based Cicely Motorsport, who were also making their debut in the Clio Cup, and a third-place finish in the championship standings represented a successful introduction for all concerned.

Twelve months on, though, and sights are being retrained. With a full winter’s testing under his belt, Coates is targeting top spot in the 18-race series. If he achieves it, the BTCC could beckon.

“The long-term plan is to get into the BTCC, and hopefully that’s where I’ll be heading into 2018,” said Coates, who has linked up with The Northern Echo ahead of the new season. “My team, Ciceley, run touring cars so it’s a logical progression, but they need to see what I’m capable of and I have to prove I’m capable of delivering results.

The Northern Echo:

“Last year was a start with that, but this is going to be an important season because I have to take another step forward and be competing at the front of the grid in every round.

“Last year was my first in the Clio Cup, and I pretty much went in cold, so to finish third overall was a pretty good achievement. The other drivers in the top four were all former champions, so it was nice to be competitive in that kind of environment.

“This year, I feel like I’m starting from a much better place. I know the series, I know the car and I know what’s required. I’ve had a full winter’s testing, and that’s the first time in the whole of my career I’ve been able to do that.

“The car looks great, and I just can’t wait to get going at Brands Hatch this weekend now. We’ll know a lot more in terms of where we’re at once we get a couple of races under our belt.”

Coates was introduced to motorsport by his father, Rob, who is a mechanic. The pair work together on a race day, and Rob has been integral to the winter development of a car that was something of a wreck when Max inherited it at the end of last season.

“This season’s race car was actually one of my team-mates’ cars from last season,” he said. “We basically stripped it right back and sorted out what we wanted to keep from what we wanted to get rid of.

“Then it was a case of building everything back up. My dad has always been a big part of my team, and I still work with two or three of the mechanics I’ve been involved with right the way through.

The Northern Echo:

“But then being part of the Cicely team, I can also call on their professionals when it comes to the technical set-up. They’re heavily involved on a race weekend so I get the best of both worlds.”

Coates’ season begins with two Clio Cup races at Brands Hatch this weekend, with the action sure to be hugely competitive as the leading title contenders look to lay down an early marker.

“You’d expect the whole grid to be covered by a second a lap at Brands Hatch,” said Coates. “That means there’s no room for error, and it means the racing is bound to be tight.

“A tenth of a second here or there will make the difference. That’ll be the difference between finishing on the podium and just missing out, and like always with racing, you’ll need a bit of luck along the way.

“The most important thing is to be competitive and consistent right the way through the season. In a one-off race, anything can happen. Over the course of 18 races though, the best driver and the best car generally win.”

The series ends back at Brands Hatch on the last weekend in September, with Coates especially looking forward to rounds nine and ten, which will be staged on his home circuit of Croft on the weekend of June 10-11.

“It’s always great to race at Croft,” said Coates. “I’m sure I’ll have a few people on to me wanting tickets, and it’s nice to be able to race with some home support.

“Croft comes in the middle of the season, so the race for the title should be starting to clear up a bit by then. Hopefully, we’ll be right in the mix.”


RENAULT UK CLIO CUP CALENDAR:

Rounds 1 and 2 – Brands Hatch (April 1-2)

Rounds 3 and 4 – Donington Park (April 15-16)

Rounds 5 and 6 – Thruxton (May 6-7)

Rounds 7 and 8 – Oulton Park (May 20-21)

Rounds 9 and 10 – Croft (June 10-11)

Rounds 11 and 12 – Snetterton (July 29-30)

Rounds 13 and 14 – Rockingham (August 26-27)

Rounds 15 and 16 – Silverstone (September 16-17)

Rounds 17 and 18 – Brands Hatch (Sep 30 and October 1)