Renault Aftersales Racing team frustrated by Safety Car period at Oulton Park Ed Pead was frustrated at today's fifth round of the ELF Renault Clio Cup after a long safety car period denied him the chance to make his mark in the championship race. Pead finished the day in third place.

With Pead qualifying on the front row of the grid the Renault Aftersales Racing team had high hopes for a strong result at a rain-soaked Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire.

However, almost as soon as the race got underway, the 32-car field found itself cruising behind the Renault Sport safety car. With two cars beached a precarious position at the back of the circuit, organisers deployed the safety car so they could tow the stricken cars away. Unfortunately for Pead, the safety car period lasted for five laps and with the meeting running significantly behind schedule, organisers took the decision to shorten the race distance from 12 to 9 laps.

By the time racing got back underway on the 2.22-mile circuit, Pead and only had three laps to make his mark and it proved too little too late.

Pead looked a certainty to finish in second place but was overtaken at the hairpin on the final lap by his experienced rival Martin Byford and had to settle for the final podium place.

The Ixell, Ixtar, Rapide Bodycare, Renaultp@rts, Motrio and Renault Trade Partner programme-supported driver was pleased to have scored a podium finish because it was a result that put him right back in the hunt for the ELF Renault Clio Cup title.

However, he also felt slightly disappointed that he wasn't able to challenge eventual winner, Stefan Hodgetts, for the overall victory. "I'm really pleased that I've moved back up the championship because a few more solid results and I'll be right up there at the end of the season," the 29-year-old said. "However, I'm a bit confused as to why Stefan seemed to be quicker than me. I don't know whether it was me or the car, but normally I would have expected to be able to challenge him hard and get past. We'll be looking closely at our race data to get to the bottom on that."

RESULTS

1. Stefan Hodgetts (MOMO UK) 9 laps @ 19m 36.725s
2. Martin Byford (Z Speed Racing) +1.54s
3. Ed Pead (Renault Aftersales Racing) +2.10s
4. Ben Winrow (Total Control Racing) +3.90s
5. Michael Doyle (Robertshaw Racing) +4.49s
6. Jonathan Fildes (Total Control Racing) +5.66s

Be sure to check out the other photos from this years' meetings in the Photo Gallery.