Westbourne Motorsport’s James Dorlin underlined a successful maiden Renault UK Clio Cup season with another strong points finish at the Brands Hatch finale, narrowly missing out on a fourth podium finish of the campaign.

Starting down on the sixth row, the 2016 Michelin Clio Cup Series Champion delivered another eye-catching performance and surged through the most competitive single-make field in the UK to finish fourth and keep his hopes of securing the Graduates Cup title for rookie entrants alive, a mere four tenths of a second adrift of Westbourne team-mate James Colburn.

Another blistering start saw the Vantage Motor Group-backed driver challenge for second through Paddock Hill Bend at the start of the season finale, but being forced off-line left the BRDC Rising Star in a congested midfield and further contact later in the race curtailed his challenge.

Regardless, it left the team reflecting on a debut season that had held two race victories, three podium finishes, a pole position and a fastest lap against experienced competition, fuelling belief ahead of next season.

James Dorlin said, “Obviously securing the Graduates Cup was the aim this weekend and we came extremely close, but nevertheless it’s been a very strong debut season for me, I feel like I’ve learnt a lot every weekend and it’ll only help myself and Westbourne Motorsport come back stronger in 2018.

“It is unfortunate to end the season with contact, but one of the best parts of the Renault UK Clio Cup is the close action, but sometimes it’s inevitable to be on the wrong end of it. It’s all a learning curve and we’ll definitely bounce back.

“I’d just like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of our fantastic sponsors and supporters at the end of a great year for me and the team. We’ll be pushing harder than ever to make you proud next season.