Pearson returns at Donington

Pearson back in Clio V6 Trophy with Autosport Promotion.

Rick Pearson will make a return to the Clio V6 Trophy in round nine of the series at Donington Park next weekend after securing a deal with championship front-runners, Autosport Promotion.

Pearson was previously entered by former UK Clio Cup team and driver champions, Mark Fish Motorsport but has been forced to move teams for his home race following a split with his main sponsor after the Monaco round of the championship.

"Although we parted on good terms after my top ten placing in Monte Carlo, my former sponsor has hired Proton Touring Car driver, Phil Bennett to drive the Mark Fish car at Donington," Pearson revealed. "As this is the car that I raced across Europe last year, I'll be losing out on the set-up I derived from hours of testing. When the opportunity of driving for Autosport Promotion arose, it seemed an ideal time to branch out.

"Autosport Promotion also run Jerome Polican. He was the Clio V6 Champion three years ago and is a regular podium visitor so they certainly know how to prepare a V6 for a top three finish. Hopefully I'll be able to show Phil a thing or two come race day!"

Despite missing almost half of the Clio V6 Trophy's ten round calendar, Pearson scooped eleventh place at Spa-Francorchamps last time out, adding to the top ten placing at Monaco and a solid sixteenth at Silverstone in the first of the Clio V6 Trophy's two British rounds.

"After missing a large portion of the season, I'm really pleased to be getting back in the car for my home race," Pearson said. "I hope the crowd get behind me as an Autosport Promotion driver and hopefully, I'll give them something to cheer about.

"With so little time to prepare for the race, I will be testing with FIA Sportscar runners Team JOTA and my former race engineer, Rob Friend in the next few days. Rob and I work well together and Team JOTA have a lot of miles under their belt so I should be well prepared for the race weekend.

"I hope to return to the Mark Fish Motorsport fold in 2003. Although a championship has yet to be decided upon, it is likely that this will be my last race in a Clio V6, at least for the foreseeable future."

-ra-