BISHOP AUCKLAND’S Paul Donkin will get what he describes as his “first proper crack” at the Renault UK Clio Cup at his local circuit of Croft next weekend when the North Yorkshire venue hosts its annual round of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship.

Donkin will join the SV Racing squad, whose lead driver, Ant Whorton-Eales, currently heads the UK Clio Cup championship table.

The County Durham driver made his Clio Cup debut with SVR in last year’s final rounds, but the torrid weather conditions made the racing something of a lottery.

He now sees Croft as his opportunity to make an impression in the Clio Cup, which has been the breeding ground for a host of drivers who have gone on to compete in the BTCC.

Donkin has already been successful in Ariel Atom sportscar racing, and originally became interested in motorsport when he attended track days at Croft.

“I’ve only raced real-wheel drive cars really before, and my first attempt at the Clio Cup – in a front-wheel drive car – at Brands Hatch didn’t go to plan,” he said. “I see this as my proper crack at it, and I feel I’ve got some unfinished business.

“I’ve always wanted to race in the Clio Cup – the cars are dynamite and it’s the best route into the BTCC. I want to do well at Croft, obviously, but the level of competition in the Clio Cup is at a whole new level to what I’m used to and any track knowledge I have will count for little, so we’ll just see how things unfold. Going back to the SVR was an easy choice as they are such an accommodating bunch of people.”

SVR team principal Daniel Buxton added: “It’s fair to say that Paul’s first attempt at the Clio Cup – in fact his first experience of a front-wheel drive racing car – in the pouring rain on the very demanding Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit with us last year was a real baptism of fire.

“But we are very happy to be working with him again. He is genuinely one of the nicest chaps I’ve ever met in motorsport, with a really enthusiastic desire to go racing, but also as someone who’s out to enjoy every moment he is on the track.”