Racecar client Renault Aftersales Racing will have new engines fitted to their Renault Clio Cup Racecars this weekend.

Renault Aftersales Racing drivers Ed Pead and Árón Smith are hoping to return to form at the fourth round of the ELF Renault Clio Cup this weekend after revealing they will have new engines in their respective racing cars at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.

After starting the 2007 season in scintillating form, both drivers have found it hard to score the results they want in recent weeks. Following the recent official Renault Clio Cup test at Croft a couple of weeks ago, the Mardi Gras Motorsport engineers that prepare the cars of Pead and Smith noticed that both engines were down on power and have taken decisive action ahead of this weekend’s critical championship encounter.

“My car was one of the slowest through the speed traps at the Croft test and that immediately alerted the team to the fact that there could be a problem,” explained 17-year-old Smith, whose car is backed by Renault Insurance.

“Both of the engines in mine and Ed’s cars have now been changed for this weekend and I’m hopeful that will stand me in good stead when qualifying gets underway on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s particularly pleasing for me that the team identified the problem so quickly and this is just another example of how they are always on top of their game and looking to give me and Ed the best possible chance to prove ourselves.”

As a rookie car racer, Smith has limited experience of the Croft Circuit that is situated close to Darlington, but he admits it’s a track that he likes.

“Croft has a good mixture of corners that are both fast and slow and really require the driver to give his best,” the Irishman said. “This weekend will be the first time that I’ll have driven a circuit that is properly technical and that’s something that I’m really relishing. It reminds me of my time in kart racing and I’m looking forward to applying some of my valuable race craft this weekend.”

For Pead, this weekend’s Croft encounter will hopefully provide him with the opportunity to close up on his main rivals in the race for the prized ELF Renault Clio Cup title.

The Brands Hatch winner, backed by Ixell, Ixtar, Rapide Bodycare, Renaultp@rts, Motrio and Renault Trade Partner programme brands, was third fastest in the recent test at Croft – a result that has given him a significant boost in confidence heading into the fourth round of the series.

“I was one of the quickest guys at Croft in the test – with the old engine – so that gives me a lot of hope for a strong finish in the qualifying and championship races this weekend,” he said. “We shook the cars down at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on our way to Croft and everything felt great.

“I can’t wait to get back in the car and if things go according to plan, I’m expecting to be up there fighting for the win.”

Croft qualifying gets underway at 14.00 on Saturday, before the first of two eight-lap qualifying races starts at 17.35. Sunday’s 12-lap Elf Renault Clio Cup championship race will get underway at 17.25 and is expected to attract a crowd of more than 30,000 spectators at the track.

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For further information about the ELF Renault Clio Cup, please visit the Renaultsport web site - designed and built by Racecar