Zelos took a pair of second places – his first outright podium results in the championship – in 2017’s season finale at Brands Hatch last October.
His pace had already been underlined earlier in the year with new Clio Cup qualifying and race lap records at Donington Park and Thruxton respectively. His lap around Thruxton stands as the fastest ever achieved in a Clio Cup race in terms of average speed…
Zelos, aged 19, will be sponsored once more by Evergreen Tyres. He commented: “We need to pick straight up again from where we left off four months ago – battling for podiums and race wins on a regular basis. “Breaking my duck with a first win has to be my priority and I want to be pushing for a top three championship finish come season’s end. After coming so close last year, I’ll be doing everything I can to help WDE to win the teams’ title, too.”
Wayne Eason, Team Principal of Ashford-based WDE, said: “I know Dan had the Champion Mike Bushell rattled for a while in those final two rounds last year and not many drivers were able to do that to him during the season. “With that box ticked, the next goal for Dan is to win races – and, if he can do that, there is no reason why he can’t challenge for the championship.”
The 2018 Renault UK Clio Cup gets under way with its opening two rounds at WDE’s home circuit of Brands Hatch in Kent on Sat 7/Sun 8 April. All 18 of its rounds will take place at the British Touring Car Championship’s high-profile events meaning it appears in front of huge trackside crowds (38,500 on average in 2017) and also live on ITV4.
Renault Sport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes said: “This will be Dan’s third season in the Clio Cup. After the very strong form he showed on occasion in 2017 and also the way in which he finished the season, it will be very interesting to see how he performs in 2018.”
