Allison is back with a thirst for success
After nearly three seasons away from racing Matt Allison is attempting to re-ignite a career which had previously seen him challenging for point scoring positions in the British Touring Car Championship.
The Norwich racer had won titles in most disciplines he contested up to the BTCC, for which he was nominated in the top 10 by Autosport in their end of season 2007 review. He selected the Renault Clio Cup as his pathway back to the top after the recession saw him lose his funding and joined new outfit Scuderia Vittoria but it has been anything but easy.
'I am disappointed to have only finished three out of the six races' said Allison. 'One was my fault but I was the innocent victim in the other two incidents.'
The opening races of the season took place at Brands Hatch and after a good start Allison was knocked out of contention at the second corner after being punted from behind by his team-mate Luke Wright.
Race two proved to be better with the Palletforce Plc supported racer narrowly missing out on a podium position after trying to dislodge third-placed Aron Smith for 15 laps.
The following races took place at Donington Park, where again contact cost the local racer dear as an early knock rearranged his steering – but he still managed to record a fifth place finish.
Allison repeated the position in the second race and set the second fastest lap time during the race proving he still has the pace to challenge for podium places.
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The local racer is not unaccustomed to the cut and thrust of Clio racing having taken the Winter Clio series in 2005 after proving to be a front runner during the main season.
However the following races at Thruxton proved to be very physical and saw both Allison and Wright's car written off.
Allison had qualified in third place for both races but failed to reach the chequered flag on either occasion.
After a poor start to race one Allison was running in seventh place before being knocked out and a similar fate followed in race two but this time on the opening lap.
