On paper, race one’s ten second margin of victory over 2011 Champion, Tim Fox, looked very straight forward but the win was far from assured. “The race started in light rain”, Clarke explained. “The back half of the track was wet enough for rain tyres but the front half was just greasy. At the start I had no idea how much grip I had to race into turn one in the damp on grooved slicks so I took it easy.” The ITC Porsche Caymans started behind the NASA sanctioned American Iron and GTS categories and it quickly became apparent that the damp track was not the only issue to worry about as traffic became a significant factor. “We were on them inside of three laps and so it was a real challenge to get around cars without hitting any of them and without Tim [Fox] getting by. I really did not want to damage the Isringhausen Motorsports car.” A calm head was required and Clarke drove with the confidence and control of a driver yet to taste defeat in 2012. “I knew I had 1.4s on Tim again so I was just patient and bided my time. By the end of the race I’d pulled out pretty big gap.”

Race two took place in more favorable dry conditions but the Porsche Cayman drivers were still faced with the issue of traffic. The early stages of the race delivered the closest and most exciting lead battle there has been all season as Clarke and Fox passed and re-passed through traffic.  Ultimately as with every other race he has entered this season, Clarke prevailed and crossed the line 10n seconds clear of his main rival.

Car owner, Geoff Isringhusen was once again thrilled by “Speedy” Dan’s performances. “The conditions and the level of competition at VIR were a real test” Isringhausen explained, going on to say that “Dan’s speed, control and decision making throughout both races was truly astounding!”

Clarke goes for ten-in-a-row in the Intercontinental Trophy Cup Series at Mid Ohio on August 11th and 12th needing only 5 points from the last four rounds to clinch the title.

About Dan Clarke:

Born and raised in a small town in Yorkshire, England, Dan followed his passion from Kart Racing at 8 years old with his working family backing, to racing the fastest race cars in the World in America.

Not content with playing soccer at a young age, Dan’s passion quickly became motor racing and with young dreams of one day becoming a professional race car driver, he never looked back. Thanks to the support of his hard working family, Dan was able to race Go-karts up to the age of 16 and progress into the British Racing Driver’s Club race car school.

He quickly dominated that race series and attracted a successful Music and Entertainment promoter to become his manager. Now with full-time backing and support, Dan progressed through British Formula Ford and Formula 3 becoming a frequent race winner and winning the prestigious Formula Ford Festival World Championship event.

America became the next target and Dan was hired to race in the Champ Car World Series. He immediately fought with the front runners in his rookie season and soon earned the nickname “Speedy Dan” that stuck with him since.

Following on from that, Dan represented Great Britain in the A1GP World Series. Then upon returning to the US in 2010, he completed a full season in the Firestone Indy Lights series scoring podiums for the famed IndyCar team, Walker Racing.

In 2011, Dan started to look towards NASCAR racing for his opportunity to get back in a car and a full-time ride. In August he competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Watkins Glen and impressed many by qualifying and making the race in his first time ever piloting a Stock car.

Dan is an active driver coach and is splitting his time between his work with drivers and his current 2012 program with Isringhausen Motorsport in the Intercontinental Trophy Cup Series.

http://www.danclarke.me/