With mixed weather conditions forecast for round six and seven of the 2003 ELF CLIO RENAULTsport UK CUP at Silverstone, Pead was looking to regain his Championship lead having been fastest in the Friday wet practice session. The qualifying session took place under drier conditions despite early downpours in the morning, with Ed still qualifying in a good fifth position on the grid for the first race and third place for the second race.

At the beginning of race one, Pead had moved into fourth just behind Mark Davies, and was immediately pressured by Xcel Motorsport driver Charlie Butler-Henderson. Ed also had to hold off Wilkinson but still continued to put pressure on third placed man Daniel Buxton. Pead then out-braked the former champion into the hairpin gaining himself another place, and then to mount a challenge on second place Mark Davies in the closing stages of the race. Pead achieved another podium finish and put himself back into the lead of the Championship by a single point.

Ed started from third on the grid in race two and was challenging into the first corner at Copse and on the run down to Becketts. However a tap from behind saw Pead blast into the gravel and out the other side rejoining the track in last position. The Mardi Gras star then began to attack and made up positions quite rapidly including a strong move on Martin Johnson at Copse. Pead crossed the line in fifth position having rescued what could have been a disastrous round for the Beckenham youngster.

Pead said afterwards, “I was happy to be back leading the Championship after race one but was really looking for a win this weekend but I made the best that I could out of the situation. The championship is still close and I’m looking forward to the double-header at Rockingham.”

The ELF CLIO RENAULTsport UK CUP rounds eight and nine head to the Rockingham Motor Speedway on 21st and 22nd June.