The new Renault UK Clio Cup Junior championship can today announce the race dates for its inaugural season in 2017 as follows:
Rounds 1&2 Rounds 1&2 Thruxton, HampshireRounds 3&4 Sat 1/Sun 2 July Rockingham, NorthamptonshireRounds 5&6 Sat 22/Sun 23 July Donington Park, LeicestershireRounds 7&8 Sat 9/Sun 10 September Snetterton, NorfolkRound 9&10 Sat 23/Sun 24 September Brands Hatch, KentRounds 11&12 Sat 14/Sun 15 October Pembrey, Carmarthenshire
Races at Thruxton, Donington, Snetterton and Pembrey will be alongside those for the British Truck Racing Association Championship which regularly attracts sizeable crowds.
UK Clio Cup Junior is for drivers aged 14 to 17 in cars almost identical to those raced in the Renault UK Clio Cup which features at the British Touring Car Championship’s high-profile events. The only differences are a minor modification to the ECU – limiting the cars to five gears and a top speed of 100mph – and a switch to road tyres, Michelin’s high-performance Pilot Sport 3.
Renault Sport UK’s Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes commented: “I’m really pleased with the UK Clio Cup Junior championship’s first calendar and our thanks go to the British Automobile Racing Club for helping to arrange this.
“The mixture of circuits will really test the teams and drivers. Notably the first five are on the senior UK Clio Cup’s calendar with the BTCC and that will be of appeal to our young drivers. Pembrey meanwhile adds an interesting challenge – and possibly a twist – right at the end of the season.
“Furthermore the BTRA Championship always pulls a crowd and this will have extra benefits for our grid in terms of event promotion.”
He added: “Six teams have already announced they will be on the grid when the UK Clio Cup Junior season gets under way next June and I am expecting that number to rise in the coming weeks – particularly following the excellent feedback we have received from youngsters, past UK Clio Cup champions and even one of the BTCC’s top names (Ashley Sutton) at our recent sampler day.
“New cars that have been ordered from Renault Sport in France are about to land in the UK and teams are also now close to being able to announce drivers. The buzz is terrific.”
Teams and drivers interested in joining the grid should contact Will Fewkes will.fewkes-extern@renault.co.uk
