BROMYARD businessman Nick Adcock enjoyed his most successful season of ELF Renault Clio Cup racing this year after taking four podium finishes and ending the championship sixth overall in the driver standings.

The 39-year-old, who had previously been a front-runner in the Volkswagen Racing Cup, stepped up to the British Touring Car Championship-supporting ELF Renault Clio Cup in 2003 with his own Raw Media-entered car, prepared by crack outfit Total Control Racing.

After securing his debut category podium towards the end of his maiden season, Adcock headed into this year in confident mood and hopeful of continued success as a fully-fledged TCR driver.

Fourth position during the opening round of the year at Thruxton got things off to a fine start although it would be the seventh round of the year at Oulton Park where he would secure his first podium of 2004.

Croft in north Yorkshire also proved to be a very happy hunting ground for Adcock after taking a brace of third-place finishes. His final visit of the season to the rostrum would come at Brands Hatch in round 16 - where he also set the fastest race lap, as he did at Knockhill during round 13.

Speaking on his second full season of Clio Cup action, Adcock said: "It's been a good year and there have been some highlights. I was delighted to finish on the podium on four occasions but it would have been so nice to take a race win.

"I was pleased to score solidly this year and continue to pick up the points and, very slowly, it seems as though we are getting closer and closer to that elusive second position and then, hopefully, my first Clio Cup victory."