BROMLEY’S Matt Tiffin excelled during his first test in a Renault UK Clio Cup racer with the leading SV team at his home circuit of Brands Hatch on Friday.

A successful karting career, which culminated with Buckmore Park Sprint Championship titles in 2009, preceded single-seater campaigns in Formula Vee and the BARC Formula Renault Championships in 2011 and 2012.

Having made an impression during a recent Formula Renault outing at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Tiffin was earmarked as a prime candidate for a switch to tin-tops by SV director, Danny Buxton.

The 17-year-old was subsequently offered a test in one of SV’s Renault UK Clio Cup challengers at his local circuit, Brands Hatch, as he assesses his options for the 2014 season.

He ventured out onto the Kent-based circuit on Friday and duly left the SV team awestruck by his rapid ascension up the timesheets.

Tiffin completed countless laps of the 1.22-mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit during four 30-minute test sessions, adapting seamlessly to the demands of racing front-wheel-drive saloon cars and sensationally matching SV’s established Clio Cup runners for pace.

Tiffin said: “I arrived at the test with an open mind and I immediately loved driving the car.

“It was a strange transition and I had to adjust a few of my single-seater habits, but I was soon up to racing speed and it was incredibly satisfying to return to the truck and be told that I’d gone so quickly so soon.

“I always aim for the best team and SV was at the top of my list.”

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