Scots racing ace John Cleland has thrown down the gauntlet to the young pretenders in the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship ahead of tomorrow's double header at Brands Hatch. ''Come and beat us if you can,'' the 45-year-old said after completing official testing yesterday.
A fortnight ago, the Galashiels driver sauntered to his first victory for over two years and then drove his Vauxhall Vectra to third in the feature race. After two years in the dodrums, Cleland is hungry for more success. ''Sure we can win again,'' the chirpy Scot said. And he stuck two proverbial fingers up at those who questioned his ability to win again.
''That's shut the doubters up,'' he beamed. ''I said right at the start of this season that I'd win again. People were quick to write me off last year when we had a car which wasn't competitive. We've cured that this year and it's great to be back on the top spot on the podium. Roll on the rest of the season.
''The last two-and-a-half years have been terrible. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to climb on the podium, so to be on it twice in one day at Donington was terrific.'' Cleland starts tomorrow's race fourth in the driver's championship, just eight points behind the Honda of the leader, England's James Thompson, and the Scot had a message for the new breed of young drivers threatening to unsettle the more established men.
''We're not finished yet,'' said Cleland. ''Over the past few years people have said this is a sport for youngsters. Well I think they should think again.
''So far this season the championship's been dominated by the forty-somethings, so we can't all be passed it.''
As well as Cleland another 45-year-old, Will Hoy, won for Ford at Silverstone and fellow Scot David Leslie is the only driver to win two of the opening six races. The 44-year-old Dumfries driver shares Cleland's views. ''Nothing beats experience,'' the Nissan driver said.
''So much about driving on a circuit is about racecraft and that only comes with time spent on the track. I feel this is going to be the year of the oldies.''
As if to confirm his intentions, Leslie and his Scots Nissan team-mate, Glasgow's Anthony Reid, posted two of the top five times in official testing yesterday, with Reid taking provisional pole.
Does Cleland strive to be crowned king of the oldies?
''Get lost,'' he laughed. ''I've always said age is a condition of the mind. I feel as frisky today as I did when I was in my 20's but more importantly, my driving's probably better.
''This is going to be some year for me and I'm all fired up and rarin' to go.''
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