Only three current-specification cars entered the first round of Clio Cup GB at Brands Hatch on Saturday - but drivers were full of praise for the new championship.

Race winner Ben Colburn says the MotorSport Vision Trackdays-run competition is the country's "most up and coming" following two tightly contested events on the Grand Prix circuit.

A championship for the current version of the French hatchback was last held in the UK in 2019, and Colburn thinks the revived category has a strong foundation after he secured victory in Saturday's second race.

The 24-year-old beat Westbourne Motorsport team-mate Daire Flock and Graves Motorsport's Nicky Taylor, who had claimed the spoils in the first event following a close race-long scrap between the group.

"OK, we only had three current Gen 5 cars out there, but the racing was just as it was in the past, and there is no reason why there can't be more cars on the grid now," said Colburn, who competed in the previous version of the championship.

"I really do think the racing is no different to how it used to be, so everyone should come and try it as it's all looking promising.

"The Clio is a purpose-built racing car from Renault so you know everything is going to be right. This is definitely the up-and-coming series out there in the UK at the moment."

Taylor, who has switched to Clios from the Mini Challenge Cooper class, won the first event after putting up a race-long defence against Flock, who lost the lead at Graham Hill Bend on the opening lap after running wide on cold tyres.

"I picked my way through and knew it would be about defending as Daire is so quick," said Taylor, who drove the Gen 5 car for the first time in Friday's test day.

"We have been tight all weekend and there has been good racing between the three of us.

"Even if it's just the three of us for the rest of the season, it's good racing and we are always close so it's a good championship so far."

The first round of the championship was due to be held earlier in the season, but organisers say they were “satisfied” with how the delayed opening event went.

Championship manager Stuart Garland said: “It goes without saying that we would like more of the current Gen 5 cars on the grid, and are working with the suppliers and teams to ensure this happens.

“The delay in the launch of the championship, and the initial delays in car supply, are largely behind us now, making the process of taking part much easier.

“I’m pleased to hear that following the Brands Hatch meeting, the arrive-and-drive teams have all been fielding driver enquiries for the remainder of this, and next, season, with new car orders having already been placed.”

Half of the six-car grid on Saturday was made up of older Gen 4 models running in a guest class, with Leonardo Panayiotou and Ray Honeybone taking the victories.

The final round of Clio Cup GB will be held at Brands Hatch on Saturday, October 26.