Max Coates took a win and a second place in the two Renault UK Clio Cup rounds at Donington Park on Sunday, however it was a dramatic day for the Yorkshireman who experienced highs and lows throughout.
In his Harron Homes sponsored car Coates set the early pace in pre-event testing only to be pipped to top spot by 0.003 seconds within the final minute of the first practice session. Hopes were therefore high leading into Qualifying but a miss-jointed session with a red flag prevented the Clements Limited backed driver from a front row slot for the races, instead he would line up 8th and 6th.
For the first race that initially proved a blessing as the front two rows were involved in the start of a dramatic crash which halted proceedings. Coates was tagged by another driver at the next corner resulting in his Primex Plastics and PLASgran Recycling car ending in the gravel trap. He was able to re-join the grid and take the restart. Coates was in third position when the cars ahead tangled. As a result Max moved into second place and then inherited the race win after a penalty was applied to the on track winner.
Racing was then delayed due to an incident in the Formula 4 race, as a result Billy Monger had to be airlifted to hospital and Max’s thoughts are with Billy at this time. After what had already been an emotional rollercoaster of a day the delayed second race got underway in dry conditions. Max immediately moved through into 4th position at the start. He then managed an overtake around the outside at the Craner Curves to claim the final podium spot. The safety car was used to aid the marshals who had to recover a car which had rolled and during that time rain began to fall. All the cars were on Michelin’s slick racing tyre and all had lost critical heat needed to grip to the track. At the restart Coates launched an attack on Paul Rivett in second who made a mistake and collided with his team mate Lee Pattison who was leading, the incident brought out the red flag to end the race and Coates was declared the winner. However, Paul Rivett was later reinstated in the results and declared the winner after he was able to drive out of the gravel trap.
JT Atkinson backed Coates said, “This weekend has been unlike any other I have experienced in my career. I’m very pleased with my results which have put us right back in the mix for the championship, but I am disappointed not to have won the second race as I feel I deserved it. Billy’s crash put everything into perspective and it’s been difficult to celebrate what has been a fantastic weekend on track for me when all I can think about is Billy.”
Coates now takes a 3 day break before a pre-event test at Thruxton on Thursday ahead of rounds 5 and 6 of the Renault UK Clio Cup which will be held at the Hampshire venue on the 6th and 7th May. Coates is now second in the championship standings which remains provisional at this time.
