Thruxton just a bad memory as Cullum does well at Brand's Hatch (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Thruxton just a bad memory as Cullum does well at Brand's Hatch

FOLLOWING his bad luck at the first round of the British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton, Rob Cullum was delighted to post two top-ten finishes in the second meeting of the year at Brand's Hatch.

Competing in the Renault Clio Cup series for the second season, the Quenington driver has recently joined front-running Boulevard Team Racing and, placed 13th on the grid, Rob had plenty of hectic racing ahead of him to achieve a good result.

The whole field made a successful get away for the first race with Cullum making his usual good start and, at the end of lap one, he was in tenth position and just behind a team-mate.

He continued to follow closely, hoping for a mistake until, with only two laps to go, his team-mate's engine died, leaving Rob to battle home for ninth spot.

For the second race, the Clio's provided yet another helping of first-class entertainment for viewers and spectators alike.

In a first lap full of incident, Cullum, starting from 14th, had to avoid a number of out-of-control cars but, after crossing the line at the end of the first lap, he was in an excellent sixth place.

Just in front of his team-mate, he continued in this position for several laps until one competitor, attempting to rejoin the circuit, hit Rob's front wheel.

With the damage spoiling the set-up of his car, Cullum was unable stay with the leaders and so waved through team-mate, Martin Johnson, before setting about defending his position for as long as he could.

But another more serious incident resulted in the race being stopped on lap 15, with Rob finishing in eighth place.

Though it was a little disappointing after the earlier potential, it was a huge improvement on Thruxton.

This Saturday and Sunday, Rob and the team will be at Silverstone and working towards further improvements. For more details, please see www.robcullumracing.com