IT was a promising weekend for Downton racer Ollie Pidgley last weekend in his Renault UK Clio Cup debut at the world-famous Brands Hatch.

Starting from 16th place on the grid in race one the teenager fell foul of the tricky downhill start at the former F1 track.

Failing to release the brakes fast enough Pidgley was swamped by his rivals and tumbled down the grid. Following the opening lap scrum however he fought his way back into contention.

The teenager then commenced an admirable recovery through the field, remaining in Anton Spires’ wheel-tracks before making one final move on the PP Motorsport driver for 16th place and hinting at his potential by recording the second fastest lap of the race.

Starting from 13th in the second race Pidgeley learnt from his lessons and launched to a quick start swiftly disposing of two rivals on the initial charge to Paddock Hill Bend, before having to concede the positions again after being forced onto the wide.

However, the Downton racer then used his strong race pace to gain track position during a race-long push through the field that encompassed typical UK Clio Cup door handle-to-door handle antics and concluded with him finishing 11th and second in the Graduate Cup.

Round 2 of the 2016 Renault UK Clio Cup will take place at the history-rich Donington Park circuit on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border on 15-17 April.

Pidgley said: “[In the first race] it was the first time I had to do a downhill start with my toe on the brake and I kept a little too much pressure on the pedal.

"Nevertheless, I was able to stay on terms with the pack during the opening lap. It was a good race in the end.”

“The weekend has been positive," he added. "My race pace was very strong throughout and it was qualifying that let me down, simply because I failed to bring the tyres up to temperature quickly enough and then didn’t make use of them when they were at their peak. It just didn’t come together and that put me on the back foot for the races, but you live and learn and I’m obviously hoping to continue moving forwards in the next round at Donington Park.

“I’m closer to the pace than I expected and we have achieved more than I could have imagined, so I’m more than satisfied.”