Clarke closes on Cullen in battle to high Autosport Nationwide Driver Rankings

Clarke was the driving force to beat for a lot of the Clubmans Sports activities Prototype marketing campaign however a tough remaining spherical at Manufacturers Hatch in September hampered his bid to go Autosport’s winners’ desk.

Nonetheless, he was again in motion on the Walter Hayes Trophy occasion at Silverstone final weekend, dominating the Pumpkin Smash Race in his common Clubmans Phantom PR22 to register his sixteenth success of the 12 months.

He then drew degree with table-topper Michael Cullen after being the primary of the Janet Cesar class automobiles (Formulation Fords constructed between 1982 and 1998) within the remaining of the WHT itself in a Van Diemen RF90.

Whereas there have been solely three starters from that division, the distinctive nature of the knockout occasion and the very fact Clarke had defeated robust class opposition to make it into the ultimate towards extra trendy equipment means it additionally counts in the direction of his tally.

However, his two class successes in comparison with Cullen’s one means Clarke rises from seventh to second within the rankings and the Irishman simply maintains his lead.

Additionally reaching Janet Cesar glory in his RF91 was Callum Grant. He received an entertaining historic pre-final on Saturday and headed the category within the second WHT warmth to climb two spots into eighth place.

Two different drivers inside the highest 10 additionally added to their totals this week, however didn’t achieve any positions.

Autosport was knowledgeable of a lacking victory for Mazda MX-5 star Aidan Hills within the Trackday Championship at Anglesey in Might when a change of driver had not been recorded on the outcomes sheet. However, Hills stays in sixth on the leaderboard.

Daire Flock additionally wrapped up the Junior Saloons title at Manufacturers Hatch final weekend, including a 14th victory to his tally, however Grant’s enchancment means the Citroen Saxo racer really falls a place to ninth.

Additional again, two drivers have joined the top-50 desk for the primary time this week. Jack Parker is in twenty seventh spot after three Legends triumphs at Manufacturers, whereas Rory Smith received the fourth Hayes warmth – to rise to forty first – earlier than being taken out in a semi-final conflict that price him the prospect to enhance additional.

Simply two circuit racing occasions are actually scheduled within the 2023 season however there may be nonetheless time for some main modifications to the desk as the primary eight drivers are separated by solely two victories.

Autosport’s most profitable nationwide racers thus far in 2023

All automobile races in UK and Eire are included besides qualification/repechage, comfort and handicap races. No races in different international locations.

Class wins are solely counted when there are at the least six starters within the class, until it’s a part of a multi-stage occasion the place six or extra have taken half in earlier heats that feed right into a semi-final or remaining.

Solely courses divided by automobile traits are included. Courses divided by driver traits similar to potential, skilled standing, age, expertise (for instance rookie or Professional-Am courses) are usually not included. Every race counts solely as soon as, so an total winner’s class win shouldn’t be added.

The place there’s a tie, total wins take priority. The place there may be nonetheless a tie, common grid measurement for a driver’s wins determines the order.