Max Coates and Lee Pattison denied Mike Bushell the chance to take the Renault UK Clio Cup title at Rockingham with a win a piece for the Ciceley Motorsport and WDE Motorsport drivers.
Bushell finished 10th in the opening race of the weekend, but managed to recover to take second in race two, meaning he’ll be in with a shot at taking the title at Silverstone.
Coates earned pole for both races with a record breaking qualifying time. He went on to take a lights-to-flag victory in the first race of the weekend, with Pattison on his tail throughout the 14 laps.
Rookie Jack McCarthy found his way past Paul Rivett early in the race and managed to build up a gap to the three-time champion to take his first overall podium.
Bushell, who started seventh, dropped down to 15th on the opening lap. He recovered to 10th, allowing Pattison and Rivett, who finished fourth, to close the gap to the championship leader.
Bushell faired a little better in race two. After starting third, both he and Pattison were able to get past Coates when the pole sitter ran wide on the opening corner.
Pattison was able to build up a gap to second as Bushell and Coates battled for second, but Bushell was able to shake off Coates when the Ciceley Motorsport driver ran slightly wide and fell away.
Bushell closed the gap to Pattison, but ran out of laps before he could find a way past.
James Colburn took fourth ahead of Lucas Orrock and graduate winner McCarthy.
Feature image credit: Renault UK Clio Cup Press Office
