The 2026 Time Attack Championship continued at Brands Hatch for Round 3, delivering close competition, standout performances and significant championship developments. For MMT Performance-sponsored driver Clive Hopwell, the event marked another major milestone in his Time Attack journey.
Competing in the highly competitive Clubman class behind the wheel of his 2023 Volkswagen Golf R, Clive delivered an outstanding performance, setting a new personal best lap time of 52.104 seconds and securing an impressive second-place finish in class.
Discover the latest Volkswagen Golf R performance upgrades and tuning solutions below.
A Strong Weekend at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is one of the UK’s most demanding circuits, rewarding precision, commitment and confidence. With a highly competitive Clubman field assembled for Round 3, every tenth of a second mattered.
Clive rose to the challenge, putting together a superb lap that stopped the clock at 52.104 seconds. The result not only secured second place in the Clubman class but also represented a new personal record for both driver and car.
The achievement highlights the continued development of the Volkswagen Golf R package and the dedication being invested into extracting maximum performance from the platform.
The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R Proves Its Potential
The latest-generation Volkswagen Golf R has become one of the most capable performance hatchbacks on the market. Combining turbocharged power, sophisticated four-wheel-drive technology and exceptional chassis balance, it provides a strong foundation for Time Attack competition.
At Brands Hatch, Clive demonstrated exactly what the platform is capable of. Against a field featuring purpose-built performance machinery, the Golf R remained competitive throughout the event, showcasing impressive grip, stability and acceleration.
Setting a personal best lap at a circuit as challenging as Brands Hatch is no small achievement and reflects the continual improvements being made both on and off the track.
Second Place in a Competitive Clubman Field
The Clubman category featured some exceptionally quick competitors, making every session crucial. Clive’s 52.104-second lap secured second place overall in class, finishing just behind the class winner while staying ahead of several highly regarded performance cars.
For MMT Performance, the result represents another strong showing in the 2026 championship and reinforces the team’s commitment to developing competitive, road-based performance vehicles.
The podium finish also provides valuable momentum heading into the next rounds of the championship.
Recognition in the Official Event Report
Clive’s performance was highlighted in the official Time Attack event coverage following Brands Hatch, which detailed how the weekend reshuffled several championship battles and produced new standout performances across multiple classes. His strong result in the Clubman category contributed to one of the most competitive rounds of the season so far.
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
With a new personal best now recorded and another podium finish added to the season tally, confidence is high as the championship moves forward.
The combination of driver development, vehicle setup refinement and continued support from MMT Performance is clearly delivering results. Brands Hatch provided further evidence that Clive and the Volkswagen Golf R have the pace to challenge at the front of the Clubman field throughout the remainder of the season.
As preparations begin for the next round, the objective will be simple: build on the momentum, continue lowering lap times and push for the top step of the podium.
Supporting Performance on and off the Track
At Direnza, we understand the importance of reliable, high-quality performance components when every fraction of a second counts. Whether you’re competing in Time Attack, attending track days or upgrading your road car, having the right cooling, intake and performance hardware can make all the difference.
Explore our range of performance upgrades:
Follow Clive Hopwell and MMT Performance throughout the 2026 Time Attack Championship and discover how Direnza performance parts help enthusiasts unlock more from their vehicles. Event results referenced from the official Time Attack Brands Hatch Round 3 standings.