DAN Rowbottom enjoyed an eventful start in the first round of the Renault Clio Cup.

The Kidderminster driver began the weekend impressively with a pole position.

But the first race ended up with his car heavily damaged and in the gravel trap after a collision.

Team Ecomotive worked late into the night to repair the damage and with just a few minutes to spare the car was ready for round two.

Starting from seventh place, Rowbottom gained several places but with the car set up not quite right he slipped back into seventh.

He said: “A lot of lessons have been learnt, which we will take into the next round at Donington Park.”