SV Racing once again frequented the Michelin Clio Cup Series and Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) podium at Oulton Park on Saturday, with Norway’s Tommy Østgaard claiming his maiden top three finish (17 May).

Østgaard, who originates from Oslo, Norway. was quick to bed-in to the spectacular and highly technical Cheshire-based track during Friday’s free practice sessions, gradually gathering speed and consistency to take top three starting positions for Rounds 3 and 4. 

After methodically analysing telemetry and on-board video, the 21-year old executed perfect race starts. He maintained third place at the start of Round 3 and gapped those behind him before a slight error into the Knickerbrook chicane cost him several positions.

The Greenbank Group-backed Randon, meanwhile, had a troubled start to the first Clio Cup Series encounter and finished 12th. However, after a thorough debrief with SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, Østgaard and Randon returned to the scenic circuit keen to make amends in Round 4. 

Another sensational start saw Østgaard snatch the initiative into Old Hall, leaving a dramatic multi-car tangle to unfold in his wake.

The Safety Car was initially deployed, but red flags followed, leaving Østgaard with the unenviable task of repeating his lightning launch off the line.

At the resumption of racing, Østgaard again made an excellent getaway to lead Mike Robinson, until the Total Control Racing driver snatched the lead with a committed lunge under braking for the Island Hairpin on lap three.

The Norwegian resolutely chased Robinson for the remainder of the race, but crossed the line in second place and only half a second adrift of the eventual race winner to achieve his maiden podium finish since graduating to the Michelin Clio Cup ‘Race Series, while teammate Randon capped off a tough weekend hampered by a bout of ill-health with points for a highly respectable seventh place.

“Oulton Park was absolutely amazing, I really love it,” said Østgaard. “It’s so quick, yet technically challenging and it’s also a very beautiful place. My starts were terrible at Rockingham, so I knew I’d have to improve them this time around. Going through data and video footage with Danny (Buxton) really helped me achieve good starts and these were key to my races. A slight mistake on cold rear tyres cost me a podium finish in race one, but the second race was a whole different story. I made two great starts and took the lead until Mike Robinson passed me. I kept the pace with a good gap back to third place. I’m really happy with the result, especially considering I’d never seen the track before and the drivers I was battling have so much more experience than I do.”

Randon, from Ashbourne, added: "I was there or thereabouts in free practice on Friday morning, but I struggled later in the day as I didn’t feel 100 per cent. This put me on the backfoot for the rest of the weekend, slowing my progression. There aren’t many overtaking places, so qualifying is critical to make the most of the races. Oulton Park is a confidence track and you just need the balls to take it on, so I was capable of fighting at the front. Points for seventh place and achieving the fourth fastest lap overall was a nice way to end the weekend and lift the spirits. It was nice having so much support, including from my new sponsor The Greenbank Group.”

Meanwhile, James Dorlin delighted SV Racing by extending his JSCC podium finishes streak and preserving his championship lead in the North West.

The Barnsley youngster overcame car gremlins to qualify third for both races and used a superb start to surge through the middle of Ben Mills and Ben Colburn on the run to Old Hall.

Dorlin held the initiative for three quarters of the race, but a missed gear out of the Island Hairpin resulted in a loss of momentum that cost the 15-year old another win, although second place was well received.

Overheating issues meant Dorlin was unable to make an impression on Mills and Colburn in race two, although the SVR young gun comfortably ran in third place to limit the damage to his championship lead.

SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, said: “From my point of view, I thought both Tommy (Østgaard) and Sam (Randon) did a good, solid job in free practice, but the first race was nowhere near good enough for both them and the team. However, we had a long debrief and they duly delivered in race two. Tommy’s starts were awesome and it was a lack of experience that ultimately cost him the victory; he thought he had done enough to cover Mike Robinson, although he still kept him honest and actually had a faster race time than the leader. Sam’s qualifying was compromised, but he wasn’t far off fifth place and his lap times were much better still in race two, which was encouraging. Both drivers should be proud of their performances in the second race.

“James (Dorlin), meanwhile, did exactly what he needed to do and overcame some car gremlins to maintain a healthy championship lead. His start in race one was spectacular, but a small error cost him the win. Second and third-place results are perfect and it’s quite an achievement considering he had to ease an overheating car home in race two.”

For more information on SV Racing, please visit the new www.svracing.co.uk website, 'like' the team's Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter.