NEWPORT’S Rory Collingbourne heads into the fourth meeting of the 2016 Renault UK Clio Cup at Oulton Park this weekend eager to kick-start his season after mechanical problems meant he was unable to do so around Thruxton last time out.

The teenager did continue his consistent run of points finishes but couldn’t get anywhere near the top three in either of the two rounds in Hampshire.

A gearbox problem in the first race at the notoriously challenging 2.4-mile circuit prevented Collingbourne from taking some of the most crucial corners in the correct gear.

After crossing the line in 12th, Collingbourne finished 14th in the second contest, despite picking up damage to his right-front wheel following an ambitious overtaking move.

Mid-corner with fellow series regular Charlie Ladell left his steering wheel bent at a 90-degree angle, making left-hand turns such as the intricate one at Cobb even more difficult to take than usual.

“The setup was perfect, that's the annoying thing,” said Collingbourne. “I really enjoy driving the circuit (Thruxton) as well, it just didn't come together for us that weekend.

“We still managed to score two points finishes though, so given all the mechanical issues we had it's good to see we were still able to maintain a good pace, unfortunately we just didn't have the performance left to challenge the front-runners.”

He added: “I had hoped Thruxton would be my turning point for the season, given that it's my favourite track, now that objective transfers to Oulton Park and I'm really hopeful we can get some strong finishes there.

“At the end of the day, we need to be realistic and we're no longer in the championship battle.

“Having said that, this was always a three-year program for us, as it should be, and so it's important for us now to focus on putting in as many strong performances as possible before the end of the season, scoring that first podium and coming back next year with a good chance of challenging for the title.”

Despite the setbacks at Thruxton, the Newport Auctions, Add Energy and Europa Group backed driver enters this weekend 14th overall in the championship, while Collingbourne’s Team Cooksport sit third in the team championship.

Oulton Park, in Cheshire, set the scene for some of Collingbourne’s best off-season running over the winter, with the Newport driver topping the timesheets on one occasion.

The first of the weekend’s two races takes place at 4pm today with the second just before 1.30pm tomorrow, live on ITV4.