Banbury's Duncan Vercoe is the new championship leader of the Elf Clio Renaultsport UK Cup following victory at the Thruxton circuit.

Vercoe, who drives for Silverstone team Mardi Gras Motorsport, led all the way to finish three seconds clear of the 25-car field. His average speed over the race distance was close to 100mph.

He had gone to Thruxton third in the points standings behind Paul Rivett (Banstead) and Tim Mullen (Portadown). But Rivett, who started from pole position, spun and could only finish sixth, while Mullen took third.

That leaves Vercoe, sponsored by Jag Communications, leading the championship on 57 points, two ahead of Mullen and five clear of Rivett.

Vercoe said: "It's great to win at Thruxton - one of the hardest circuits on the calendar - and to take the championship lead is a bonus."

The 27-year-old, who also won in Renault Spider sportscars at Thruxton three years ago, said: "Everyone at Mardi Gras deserves this - they've all worked really hard.

"We also know it's still early days so we've got to keep pushing if we are to maintain our advantage."

Vercoe is next in action in rounds three and four of the Clio Cup at Oulton Park in Cheshire this weekend.