DANIEL Buxton needs a top three finish at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday to give himself a fighting chance of the Elf Clio Renault Sport Championship.

The Cuddington racer has more pole positions and fastest laps than any other driver this year, but he lies second, 57 points behind Jim Edwards Junior and just seven ahead of Henry Taylor.

Buxton, 22, finished second last time out at Brands Hatch in the seasons opening race back in April. Last week he was second only to Taylor in testing at the Kent circuit, the pair being separated by just 45/100ths of a second.

Brands Hatch is a massive race for me, said Buxton. I cant rely on Edwards having a bad race. I have got to be on the podium, preferably with a win.

The main aim for Buxton is not just the Clio Cup, but securing a British Touring Car place for 2001.