The 42-year old larger-than-life character, who away from the race track is director of his own electrical and mechanical manufacturing company Kaltec, has enjoyed every minute of his first full-season of Clio Cup action as team-mate to 2003 Champion Jonathan Fildes (Trim, Co.Meath) and he's keen to return in 2004 with a unique sponsorship deal.

Kevin, who bills himself 'Lightweight' Lloyd in a tongue-in-cheek reaction to his ample and untypical 23-stone frame, first became actively involved with motorsport after sponsoring Jason Templeman (Newark) at Wednesbury-based Clio Cup outfit Total Control Racing during 2001 and 2002.

But it wasn't long before friend and TCR-boss Lee Brookes talked Kevin into trying for his racing licence. After successfully completing this Lloyd went on to purchase a Clio Cup race car which he then competed in for the first time in 2002 before opting for a full championship campaign throughout 2003.

"I have to say I've had a really fantastic year, I've really enjoyed it", said Kevin, "Every single race meeting has been great fun for me and that's the reason I'm out there, I love being a part of the racing even though I know I'm not going to win any races in such a competitive championship."

While Lloyd is regularly seen at the tail-end of the field this is by no means disparaging to his ability and race craft which have developed immensely throughout the season - in fact he's by far the most improved driver on the whole Clio Cup grid.

ELF Renault Clio Hill House Hammond Cup Championshp Manager, Simon North, commented: "Everyone involved in the championship has noticed Kevin has made a fantastic improvement this season. He's a very courteous driver who's well aware of the others he races with, be that people around him on track or the front-runners who may come up to lap him.

"I can't ever remember there being a problem with Kevin's driving standards at a race, during qualifying or at an official test and he's also one of the most likeable characters in the entire paddock. Motor racing is often dominated by the people who win but those at the front need people like Kevin who race for fun but also put a lot of finance into the sport they love.

"At the level of Clio Cup in particular people like Kevin are the lifeblood of the championship and I wish there were more people like him. He's such a genuine person and is a shining example to people of how to go motor racing at this level if you want to have fun and enjoy yourself."

Lloyd's season has seen continuous improvement with his best finishes of 11th place coming at Croft, North Yorkshire, during round 10 and Snetterton, Norfolk, in round 13. He has also been one of the most consistent drivers of the season finishing all but one of the 18 races.

"It's been a good season this year", said Kevin, "I started off hoping to just finish the year with one point to my name but due to the smaller grid this year and some misfortune for one or two other people I've ended up with quite a few points which I'm over the moon about

"If I decide to do the Clio Cup in 2004 my biggest problem will be the fitness side of things because of my obvious weight - I seriously need to improve my fitness because people don't realise just how fit drivers have to be in these cars. More than that though you need to be mentally strong and that's something else that people on the outside maybe don't realise.

"To jump in at the deep end in a championship as highly regarded, competitive and established as the Clio Cup has been a tall order because the guys out there are some of the best saloon car drivers around. People always wonder how Clio drivers would fare in touring cars but I'd like to see Yvan Muller or James Thompson get in a Clio to see what they could do because I'm sure it would be a real shock to them."

Racing in any level of motorsport is an expensive business and Kevin knows as well as anyone how true that is. To take part in the 2003 season Lloyd has had to find between a large sum of his own money and so as he looks ahead to 2004 he's searching for sponsors - the most intriguing part of this hunt being an attempt to receive backing from Weight Watchers!

"The idea is for me to lose weight through the season with spectators able to have some fun keeping track on my progress as we'd but some kind of image on the car depicting how well I was doing. In fairness I've received a lot of coverage this year one way or another and I've also been talked about quite a bit by the commentators because of my size - but I take all that in my stride as a bit of fun. I get on so well with everyone, I've no axes to grind, and the Clio Cup is a fantastic championship. While my size may make the racing more difficult it certainly makes me stand out from the crowd!"

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