Champion Glew impresses on Megane Trophy test

Recently crowned ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin champion Phil Glew (Tothill, Lincolnshire) was on top form as he fulfilled his prize of a test in a Megane Trophy race car at the 3.321-mile Motorland Aragon circuit on Monday, 26th October.

The 26-year-old, who won the Clio Cup championship with Team Pyro, outshone fellow Clio Cup champions from all over Europe by setting the fastest time running with championship winning team McGregor by Equipe Verschuurs.

Glew was among Clio Cup champions from France, Belgium and Italy invited to test the 3.5-litre V6, 360hp car by Renault Sport Technologies, as a prize for his performance in the 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin. Glew, who plans to move into BTCC next year, won an impressive 11 races in the one-make saloon-car series to secure the title with three rounds to spare.

In hot, sunny conditions, Glew began the first of two one hour 30 minute sessions on worn slick tyres yet continually lowered his lap times to finish just a fraction off Mike Verschuur’s pole position time of 2m 04.335s (154.7 kph average) and the quickest among the Clio Cup champions.

Glew continued to impress in the second session around the newly-built Spanish track this time on new rubber as he became more accustomed to the rear-wheel drive Megane Trophy.

Commenting after his test, Glew said: “It’s been a fantastic experience today and I’ve been really impressed by the Megane Trophy which is just so quick and has so much more grip and downforce than the Clio Cup car. The paddle-shift gears took a bit of getting used to as did the steering-wheel mounted clutch but the rear-wheel drive didn’t present any problems as I am used to this from my previous racing experience.

“The team have also been impressed by my performance and I have to say a move into the Eurocup Megane Trophy championship is something I would definitely consider! My immediate plans though still centre on competing in the BTCC next season. I’m still in talks with my sponsors but a move looks increasingly likely and I plan to start testing with a number of teams very soon.”