British Superkart Association Interview

Another couple of videos from Autosport International 2014, this time Rosemary meets the British Superkart Association to find out more about this incredibly fast form of motor racing...



Then we meet Ben Davis and Peter Bennett who have moved on from racing SuperKarts to take on the Clio Cup

Clio Cup 2013 : Oulton Park Round up

LIGHTS-TO-FLAG WIN FOR RIVETT EXTENDS POINTS LEAD AT OULTON

The Clio Cup pack blasts off the startline at Oulton Park

 Paul Rivett (Banstead) soaked up immense race-long pressure from Stefan Hodgetts (Redditch) during the seventh round of the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup at Oulton Park this afternoon, Saturday, 8th June, to seal his third victory of the year with a faultless lights-to-flag drive.

Making his pole position grid slot count, the Names.co.uk/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering racer produced a fantastic start to lead but – with the exception of a brief Safety Car period – never had a moment to rest.

Hodgetts’ KX Racing with Scuderia Vittoria car was an ever present threat, never more than half a second behind the three-time champion, and to confirm his pace Hodgetts took the two bonus points for fastest lap, thanks to a time of 1m36.705 seconds (82.86mph) on lap 12.

Josh Cook (Bristol), who didn’t enjoy the best of starts from the front row, slipped to third on lap one but was thereafter able to run very similar lap times to both Rivett and Hodgetts. For the bulk of the 15-lap encounter, the JHR Developments driver was in the wheeltracks of the two leaders but just wasn’t quite able to mount a challenge. Even so, third gave him his first Graduate Cup win of 2013.

With Team Pyro’s Josh Files (Norwich) finishing in seventh position, having started the first race of the weekend in eighth place, Rivett was able to increase his lead in the championship to 19 points, having been only three points clear prior to round seven.

“Of all the people to have behind you in the Clio field, Stef [Hodgetts] is probably the hardest and he didn’t make that easy by any means at all”, commented Rivett, “I had to defend from him into the last corner of the last lap, otherwise I knew he’d really be trying to stick it up the inside.

“It’s a great win, lights-to-flag, and I got a cracking start. Hopefully we can do more of the same tomorrow and control it from the front. It’s going to be tough to do it again but if I can get another start like that, it’s half the battle.”

While Rivett led clearly through Old Hall at the start, Cook’s sluggish getaway dropped him into the clutches of both Hodgetts – up from fifth on the grid after a superb start – and his team-mate Ant Whorton-Eales (Lichfield) who ran side-by-side through the first right-hander.

Hodgetts emerged in second place while Cook clung on around the outside at Cascades to edge ahead of Whorton-Eales for third. From that point forward, nothing changed among the podium places with the top three incredibly evenly matched.

“It was relatively boring after the first lap to be honest”, said Hodgetts, “Paul [Rivett] is a quality driver, he’s not going to make a mistake and you can’t pass that easily around here. Second is OK but I’m going to have a right go tomorrow for the win.”

The Clios negotate one of Oulton's fast bends

Reflecting on his second podium of the year, and first Graduate Cup success, Cook said: “I made a very poor start, probably the worst one I’ve ever done. I managed to hold it around the outside of Ant [Whorton-Eales] at Cascades, which was a bit sketchy, but I managed to get the place. I didn’t quite have the pace to stick with the top two, so we’ll make a couple of changes for tomorrow.”

Whorton-Eales’ involvement came to an abrupt end on lap two at the chicane when he tagged the tyre stack, leading to a three lap Safety Car period. When the racing resumed, the lead trio were able to edge back away from the rest of the pack which was headed by Pyro’s Alex Morgan (Reading).

Although Morgan slipped two seconds shy of the podium places by the end, he was able to pull over three seconds clear of JHR’s Masters Cup class winner Lee Pattison (Liversedge) who was heavily pressured by Westbourne Motorsport’s James Colburn (Worthing) during the closing stages.

Files, who was passed for seventh brilliantly by Jake Giddings (Wisbech) on lap eight at Old Hall, managed to return the favour to the Finesse Motorsport driver on the final tour with Mike Bushell (Tunbridge Wells), on his first weekend driving with KX Racing colours, taking ninth.

The battle over the final place in the top 10 was hugely entertaining throughout, half a dozen drivers all within a chance of taking the position. In the end, Clio Cup rookie Ash Hand (Nuneaton) sealed the spot for Pyro by just 0.2 seconds ahead of Jordan Stilp (Potterspury), Devon Modell (Maidstone), James Nutbrown and Simon Belcher (Swindon).

Rob Smith (Telford) was also in the thick of the titanic battle at the tail end of the top 10 but sustained a right-front puncture after hitting debris left behind from Whorton-Eales’ incident at the chicane, dropping him to 15th place.

HODGETTS VICTORIOUS IN ROUND EIGHT AT BAKING-HOT OULTON

The drivers celebrate their success after Round Eight

Renault UK Clio Cup front-runner Stefan Hodgetts (Redditch) claimed a richly deserved second victory of the 2013 season at Oulton Park Island Circuit this afternoon, Sunday, 9th June, during round eight of the championship – the halfway point of the campaign.

In front of the live ITV4 cameras, and tens of thousands of spectators enjoying glorious sunshine, the KX Racing with Scuderia Vittoria driver took the lead at the exit of the first corner after a blistering start from fourth on the grid and delivered an inch-perfect performance despite huge pressure.

“It’s fantastic”, said Hodgetts, who earned the ‘BuyOils.co.uk Driver of the Event’ accolade, “We started P4 and, if you say about it Motocross-style, we got the hole-shot at the start. When you’re in the lead in these cars you can kind of control the race but, in order to do that, you need a fantastic car. We’ve been really fast all weekend, it’s just desserts we got the win.

“Turning up at these race meetings with all the crowds, there’s no better feeling than to race in front of that many people – it’s a massive privilege. To be on this package and in this championship is pretty cool to be honest!”

Pole-sitter, and championship leader, Paul Rivett (Banstead) had problems with a slipping clutch at the beginning which compromised his getaway. Although managing to see off the quick-starting Alex Morgan (Reading) initially at the exit of Old Hall, the Team Pyro driver hit back on lap two into the hairpin and held on to an excellent second place from that point forward.

While Morgan’s runner-up spot, his fourth podium of the year, moved him into second place in the championship ahead of team-mate Josh Files (Norwich), Rivett’s third position was enough to see him marginally increase his advantage at the top of the standings to 22 points.

“I’d say the season is probably going better than I imagined initially”, said Morgan, “I knew we were quick in testing during the pre-season but you never know until you line-up with the other guys where you’ll be. To be at the halfway stage of the season and have had four podiums, one each weekend, and be second in the championship is fantastic – I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

Hodgetts’ launch away from the second row was outstanding and although Morgan appeared to have the lead into Old Hall, the KX Racing driver was able to bravely move ahead around the outside while Rivett – recovering well from his difficult getaway – followed Hodgetts through on the outside line, taking second on the run down The Avenue and into Cascades.

Into lap two, Hodgetts, Rivett and Morgan were nose-to-tail and into the hairpin Rivett thought about looking to the outside of the race leader. In doing so though, the Names.co.uk/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering driver left the door open for Morgan to edge up the inside.

There was absolutely nothing to separate the top three throughout, Hodgetts smartly backing the others up lap after lap. On lap eight the Safety Car was deployed, following an excursion into the barriers at the top of Clay Hill for Ronnie Klos (Market Harborough), but after the re-start nothing changed at the front with Hodgetts, Morgan and Rivett covered by just 0.7 seconds at the finish.

The end of the race actually came one lap early when Finlay Crocker (Bathgate) made contact with the barriers at the top of Deer Leap, bringing out the red flags, just moments after Pyro team-mates James Nutbrown and Ash Hand (Nuneaton) had tangled at Druids.

Reflecting on his third place, Rivett said: “It was probably quite lucky I didn’t slip any further back at the start to be honest, once we got going in the race it was OK but at the start the clutch just didn’t bite and that really cost us.

“When Alex [Morgan] got by at the hairpin it was my mistake, I shouldn’t have gone to the outside of Stef [Hodgetts] – I was desperate to get the lead back after the clutch slip though! Championship wise we’ve got another podium, more points and we’ve extended the lead even more. It goes without saying, a huge thank you to all my fantastic sponsors as usual.”

Behind the lead trio, Finesse Motorsport’s Jake Giddings (Wisbech) produced a star performance with fourth – giving him his first Graduate Cup win of the season. After taking fourth place from JHR Developments’ Lee Pattison (Liversedge) on lap one, Giddings was a consistent threat to the podium placings but just wasn’t able to carve open an opportunity.

Pattison finished fifth, taking his second Masters Cup victory of the weekend, ahead of team-mate Josh Cook and Westbourne Motorsport’s James Colburn (Worthing). KX Racing’s Ant Whorton-Eales (Lichfield) made amends for his non-finish on Saturday with eighth while Total Control Racing’s Rob Smith (Telford) was ninth, just seeing off Files – the latter taking the extra points for fastest lap.

There are only two weeks to wait until the next outing for the Renault UK Clio Cup competitors with rounds nine and 10 of the 2013 campaign taking place at Croft in North Yorkshire on 22nd/23rd June.


Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup Driver Standings (after Rd8):1st Paul Rivett, 207pts; 2nd Alex Morgan, 185pts; 3rd Josh Files, 176pts

Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup WP Racing Clio Cup Team Trophy Standings (after Rd8):1st Team Pyro, 359pts; 2nd Westbourne Motorsport, 272pts; 3rd Scuderia Vittoria, 267pts

Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup ‘Graduate Cup’ Standings (after Rd8):1st Josh Files, 213pts; 2nd James Colburn, 203pts; 3rd Jake Giddings, 179pts

Provisional 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup ‘Masters Cup’ Standings (after Rd8):1st Simon Belcher, 204pts; 2nd Graham Field, 191pts; 3rd Finlay Crocker, 139pts

Renault and BARC agree new Contract

The new Clio Cup car on Display at Oulton Park

Renault UK and the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) are delighted to announce a new three-year contract with TOCA, seeing the Renault UK Clio Cup remain a cornerstone of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship motor racing package until at least the end of 2016.  This agreement comes at the same time as Renault Sport Technologies has signed the BARC to be its UK promoter for the next three years.

The confirmation of these freshly agreed deals today, Friday, 7th June, comes as the order books open for the brand new fourth generation Clio Cup race car which was officially presented to existing teams, drivers and invited media this afternoon at Oulton Park in Cheshire – where the seventh and eighth rounds of the current Renault UK Clio Cup campaign are being contested this weekend.

“We’re absolutely delighted to confirm the Renault UK Clio Cup will remain part of the country’s biggest and best motorsport package for at least another three years”, said Jeremy Townsend, Renault UK Communications Director, “On behalf of Renault UK, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Alan Gow [BTCC Series Director] and his team at TOCA for their continued support.

“Renault UK has been an integral part of the BTCC package for 21 seasons, since its inception, and we’re now looking forward to the arrival of the new Clio Cup race car from 2014 which will also be our 40th anniversary year in British motorsport. We’re at the start of an exciting new era for the championship, securing its continued place on the BTCC package is key to future success.”

Firmly established as the country’s foremost one-make saloon car championship and a prime feeder category for the BTCC, numerous Renault UK Clio Cup competitors have graduated into the national touring car series over the years including the likes of former Clio Cup Champions Tom Onslow-Cole and Dave Newsham, who are both racing in the BTCC this year.

Reigning FIA World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff and fellow WTCC racer Alex MacDowall both climbed the ladder from the Renault UK Clio Cup into the BTCC, before going on to compete at the highest level in the world championship.

“Renault has been an intrinsic part of the TOCA/BTCC events for over 20 years, and for very good reason”, said Alan Gow, Administrator and Series director of the BTCC, “The Clio Cup is a fantastically dynamic platform that budding BTCC drivers can launch their career from. It provides great racing for both the drivers and teams and of course, most importantly, our spectators and TV audiences.

“I’m extremely proud of our very close and long-standing relationship with Renault, which is set to continue until at least the end of 2016, and really look forward to the great racing that undoubtedly the brilliant new turbo Clio Cup car will produce.”

Ian Watson of the British Automobile Racing Club, which promotes the Renault UK Clio Cup, added: “Being part of the TOCA package is of paramount importance for a championship the stature of the Renault UK Clio Cup, we need to be racing in front of the biggest crowds and that’s what supporting the BTCC provides.

“To have agreed a new three-year TOCA contract is fantastic for all involved, it gives us the perfect platform on which to build for next season when the new fourth generation Clio Cup race car makes its UK debut.”

Teams currently competing in the Renault UK Clio Cup will be given priority to place orders for the new 1.6-litre, turbo-powered car for the next two weeks. Following the fifth race meeting of the 2013 season at Croft in North Yorkshire on 22nd/23rd June, the order process will be opened up to all.
Priced 39,900 Euros plus VAT (£33,969)
, the new Clio will come fitted as standard, for the first time, with a steering wheel mounted paddle-shift gear change system.

The fourth generation car has already been incredibly well received on the continent where it is making its competitive debut this year in the Eurocup Clio series. British squad Team Pyro currently fields Josh Files and David Dickenson in the pan-European category, Files dovetailing his programme there with a title bid in the Renault UK Clio Cup in the existing third generation car.

Scudereia Vittoria return with Wakefield and Modell

Scuderia Vittoria return to Clios in 2013 with a new line up of Josh Wakefield and Devon Modell

Former British GT Championship racer Josh Wakefield (Colchester) and motor racing returnee Devon Modell (London) will make their respective debuts in the Renault UK Clio Cup this year after finalising deals with front-running squad Scuderia Vittoria.

Wakefield, a multiple podium finisher in the GT4 Class of the 2011 British GT Championship, makes the move back to front-wheel drive racing having originally cut his teeth in the SaxMax series in 2009 where he was the Rookie Champion.

Switching to the Trofeo Abarth 500 category in 2010, ending the season fifth overall with several podiums to his credit, the Essex driver then embarked on a strong campaign in British GT where he was fourth overall in GT4, teaming with Jake Rattenbury, taking one win and four other podiums.

“Josh has had a couple of testing years in different formulas, but has been able to show that he possesses great pace”, said Scuderia Vittoria team principal Danny Buxton, the 2001 Renault UK Clio Cup Champion, “I’m really pleased to be able to bring him back to front-wheel drive cars and I’m confident that he will be able to perform extremely well in 2013.”

Modell, who is a former Stars of Tomorrow [now Formula Kart Stars] Mini Max Champion, makes a welcome return to active competition after several years away from motorsport. The new Renault UK Clio Cup season will be his first in cars, although he did previously test a Renault Clio in 2011 with Scuderia Vittoria.

Originally starting out in Super 1 National Cadet Championship karting in 2002, the Kent-born racer progressed into Mini Max where he enjoyed a superbly successful campaign in 2005 – winning the Stars of Tomorrow title, finishing third in the Kartmasters Grand Prix and runner-up in the Super 1 Mini Max category. Following graduation to Rotax Max, Modell’s last appearance was four years ago.

Speaking on the Londoner’s arrival into the all-action Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship feeder series, Scuderia Vittoria’s Buxton added: “Devon is a really exciting talent that held a huge reputation in karting by beating the likes of Max Chilton [2013 Marussia Formula 1 Team driver] and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs [2012 AUTO GP Champion] along the way.

“I have been chasing Devon for the last two years, as he tested with us at Snetterton previously and was immediately on the pace. He is a very intelligent, calm and confident driver who possesses great pace, and I am sure that he will surprise a lot of people in the TOCA paddock in 2013.”

Scuderia Vittoria, which fielded as many as five Renault Clios last season, is expected to run an even larger squad this year with additional driver announcements expected in due course. Following the official Media Day at Silverstone in Northamptonshire on Thursday, 21st March, the 16-round season will get underway on 30th/31st March at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent.

Josh Cook signs for returning JHR Developments for 2013 Clio Cup

Highly successful Renault UK Clio Cup team JHR Developments has announced its welcome return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support category after today, Friday, 18th January, officially confirming its first driver signing – reigning Rookie Cup Champion Josh Cook (Bath).

JHR return to scenes of success in the Clio Cup

The Dronfield-based squad, headed by former Clio Cup front-runner and multiple race winner Steven Hunter, last competed in the championship with a part campaign in 2011. During the preceding years JHR twice won the Entrants’ Championship – in 2008 and 2009 – and also steered Lee Pattison to the Masters Cup title and the Vice-Champion’s position in the overall standings in 2010.

First appearing in Clio Cup racing in 2004 as ‘Team Gatecrasher’ in deference to title sponsorship from the world-famous nightclub brand, JHR has a long association with Renault championships having been formed in 1995 to compete in Formula Renault UK and Eurocup Formula Renault.

Since withdrawing from the Clio Cup a couple of years ago, JHR has remained a force in national motorsport with great success in other categories. Now, with the return of Simon North to the role of Championship Manager and the arrival of the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) as promoter, Hunter says the time is right for JHR to be back in the BTCC’s chief feeder category.

“We spoke to Josh [Cook] at the end of last year, we’d kept an eye on his performances all season, and we always said if we were going to look at coming back into Clios it had to be with a driver like him so we could be competitive from the off”, commented Hunter.

“With Simon [North] back at the helm managing the championship, along with the BARC, Clio Cup is back in the right hands and a place you want to go racing. We’re aiming to run two cars this year and our overall plan is to re-establish JHR in the Clios ready for the arrival of the new car in 2014.”

Cook was one of the star performers in Clio Cup last year, his first full season in the category, and achieved his maiden outright podium in round seven at Oulton Park. He went on to claim two overall victories during the penultimate event at Silverstone National Circuit. In addition to his domination of the Rookie Cup, he was an impressive fifth overall in the main championship.

The 21-year-old will certainly be a major challenger in the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup, the final season for the existing third generation car, and Hunter is confident the new partnership will be able to hit the ground running and be serious competition from the outset.

“Josh is a super quick driver, very committed and he’s already a proven race winner in one of the most competitive championships out there, we’ve got no doubts he’ll be a regular front-runner”, he added, “We’re looking forward to fighting at the front and being back as part of the Renault family.”

Rounds one and two of the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup will take place across Easter weekend, 30th/31st March, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent.

2013 Renault UK Clio Cup Calendar

Rds1&2             Brands Hatch Indy, Kent                         30th/31st March

Rds3&4             Donington Park National, Leicestershire   20th/21st April

Rds5&6             Thruxton, Hampshire                              4th/5th May

Rds7&8             Oulton Park Island, Cheshire                   8th/9th June

Rds9&10           Croft, North Yorkshire                             22nd/23rd June

Rds11&12         Snetterton 300 Circuit, Norfolk                 3rd/4th August

Rds13&14         Rockingham ISSC, Northamptonshire      14th/15th September

Rds15&16         Brands Hatch Grand Prix, Kent               12th/13th October

BARC launches new Renault Clio series with Michelin

BARC is now offering the thrills of the Renault Clio Cup on a smaller budget with the new Michelin backed series

Renault UK, the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) and Michelin are delighted to announce the launch of a brand new entry-level race category for 2013, the Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre, which is aimed at providing a professionally run, cost-effective first step into saloon car racing.

Targeting complete circuit novices, seasoned track day participants and also competitors with prior race experience, the Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre is expected to run across four events next year with the potential to become a fully-fledged championship in 2014.

Based around the third generation racing Clio, as currently run in the sister Renault UK Clio Cup, the freshly launched series will become the new home for the existing 2.0-litre car when it is replaced in the headline British Touring Car Championship-supporting category in 2014.

“Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre perfectly fills the gap in the market for those who enjoy track days, such as our own very successful Renaultsport Trackdays, but who want to make the step into actual competition without moving straight into the Renault UK Clio Cup”, said Jeremy Townsend, Renault UK Communications Director.

“In just a single week since the BARC was confirmed as the new promoter of the Renault UK Clio Cup, we already have this plan in place to extend the life of the third generation Clio when the new 1.6-litre turbocharged car arrives in Renault UK Clio Cup in 2014. The creation of the Michelin Clio Cup Series is a fantastic development for the Renaultsport brand.”

Although the calendar of events is still to be ratified, provisionally the series is expected to begin over the weekend 11th/12th May at Snetterton in Norfolk – running with the Protyre Formula Renault Championship – with a second event at Croft in North Yorkshire in July.

Two more race meetings are also planned, the first at Rockingham in Northamptonshire over the weekend 10th/11th August, with the final event set to take place at Brands Hatch in September. There is also a desire to run further events during the winter of 2013.

Conversion kit and Michelin road tyres to make Clio Cup Series even more accessible
In a move to ease the transition into competitive racing for rookie drivers, the introduction of a conversion kit has been confirmed which will enable owners of road-going Clio Renaultsport 197 and Clio Renaultsport 200 cars to transform them to track specification for as little as £3,000. Included in the kit is a roll cage, seat belts, fire system with extinguisher and suspension from the Clio rally car.

Alongside the main headline class for thoroughbred racing Clios and a ‘Road’ class for the converted cars, there will also be two driver categories – ‘Expert’ for those with previous racing experience and ‘Sport’ for competition novices.

One of the key facets of the newly created series, as per the headline sponsorship from Michelin, will be the use of Michelin Pilot Sport 3 road tyres as the renowned manufacturer brings its flagship sports tyre into competitive UK motorsport for the first time.

Michelin maintains its links with the popular French Hatchbacks

“It’s very important for the Michelin brand to remain closely linked with Renault and by being the official tyre partner for the new Clio Cup Series, we have a perfect opportunity to showcase the high performance of our Pilot Sport 3 road tyre”, said Michelin UK head of marketing Jianni Geras.

“The road tyres are less aggressive than racing slicks, so this will only help the cost-effectiveness of the series. In the current climate, a series like this is the perfect place for racing newcomers to learn and develop their skills. Michelin is delighted to be the headline sponsor of, what we fully expect to be, a very popular new category in UK motorsport.”

Something of great importance to the success of the Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre will be the support of existing Renault UK Clio Cup teams who have strongly welcomed the announcement and creation of the category.

Team Pyro’s Mark Hunt and Scuderia Vittoria’s Danny Buxton, two of the lead pioneers behind the idea to establish a club-level series for the incredibly successful third generation Clio Cup car, are both very confident there is already a strong market for the new category.

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant BARC, Renault and Michelin are introducing this series, there’s a massive market for it and in the current climate it’s exactly the sort of thing that’s needed”, said Hunt, “If we can have race meetings over two days, rather than three, it’ll be great and there’s no threat of it taking customers away from the UK championship.

“It’ll be a great stepping stone and, more importantly, it means we’re not throwing away 25 very good Clio Cup cars – for me it’s brilliant. I see it as being like the BARC Formula Renault, we’ve all seen how successful that’s been for people who can’t afford the bigger budgets, it’s a mega idea.”

Buxton, the 2001 Renault UK Clio Cup Champion, added: “Mark [Hunt], Tom [Ferrier – Scuderia Vittoria co-owner] and I originally came up with the idea and spoke to Ian Watson at BARC about it and, since then, it’s gathered pace massively. Michelin has been a big supporter of Clio racing over the years and it’s great they’re involved with this, running road tyres will help to keep costs down.

“I think there will be a very strong market for this series. Gentleman drivers, for example, who are busy with other commitments on a Saturday can still race on Sunday and that’s a market we need to aim for. The conversion kit then really opens it up to people who always thought racing was out of their price bracket, people will be able to get out on circuit in a proper car for sensible money.”

Precise technical details and sporting guidelines for the Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre will be issued in the New Year and the category will be launched to the motorsport community on the BARC stand at the Autosport International Show, on 10th/11th/12th/13th January, at Birmingham’s NEC.

Provisional 2013 Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre Calendar
Races 1&2 Snetterton, Norfolk - 11th/12th May
Races 3&4 Croft, North Yorkshire - 13th/14th July
Races 5&6 Rockingham, Northamptonshire - 10th/11th August
Races 7&8 Brands Hatch, Kent - 21st/22nd September

BARC takes control of Renault Clio Cup

The Fantastic Clio Cup is now shod by Dunlop and run by BTCC organisers BARC

Renault UK is delighted to announce the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) has been appointed the new promoter of the Renault UK Clio Cup for 2013 with Simon North making a return to the role of Championship Manager.

The Thruxton-based BARC takes the helm of the popular Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support category, as preparations for the 2013 season get well underway.

An eight-weekend, 16-race calendar for next season is confirmed with the Renault UK Clio Cup running alongside the BTCC at each of its events, with the exception of the trip north of the border to Knockhill in late August and the visit to Silverstone at the end of September.

Therefore, this means the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup season will commence at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 30^th/31^st March before travelling to Donington Park, Thruxton, Oulton Park, Croft, Snetterton and Rockingham, prior to the return to Brands Hatch – this time on the full Grand Prix Circuit – for the grand finale over the weekend 12^th/13^th October.

Also new for next season will be the arrival of Dunlop as the official tyre partner for Clio Cup, the start of a multi-year agreement which brings the championship even more in-line with the BTCC.

With everything in place to ensure a smooth 2013, prior to the arrival of the brand new Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo race car the following year, Renault UK has high hopes for a classic swansong season for the existing third generation Clio Cup car.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have agreed for BARC to become the promoter of the Renault UK Clio Cup, and for Simon North to return as the Championship Manager”, said Renault UK Communications Director Jeremy Townsend, “We’re also looking forward to working with our new official tyre supplier Dunlop and, of course, continuing to be part of the BTCC package.”

“It was of paramount importance for Clio Cup to be entrusted to a safe pair of hands and with BARC’s stewardship and Simon’s experience we certainly have that. Renault UK is proud to have a long-standing relationship with BARC, so we’re now looking forward to an excellent season to set the scene perfectly for the arrival of the new Clio Cup to the UK in 2014.”

On behalf of the BARC, Ian Watson – who takes a lead role heading up the organisational team behind the Renault UK Clio Cup – commented: “I speak for everyone at BARC when I say how delighted we all are to be the new promoters of the Renault UK Clio Cup, especially with the long and successful partnership we’ve enjoyed with Renault over the years.

“Clio Cup has always been a fantastically well supported championship, a true crown jewel for the BARC, and we’re looking forward to working hand-in-hand with Simon and Renault UK to help the series thrive.”

Simon North, who was previously the Championship Manager of the Renault UK Clio Cup between 1992 and 2011 and who is also the current promoter of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship, is relishing the opportunity to work once again with the ultra-professional Clio Cup teams and, of course, Renault UK itself.

“It’s a privilege to have been welcomed back into the Renault UK Clio Cup family and to have been entrusted with the role of Championship Manager once again”, he said, “I’m very much looking forward to working with all of the excellent teams in the Clio Cup paddock and, it goes without saying, to working closely and efficiently with Renault UK and the BARC.”

Teams warmly welcome arrival of BARC and Dunlop

Leading teams from the Renault UK Clio Cup have warmly welcomed the announcement regarding the new custodians of the championship, and also the arrival of Dunlop which is set to bring fresh impetus to the one-make saloon car category.

“This is great news, I’m really looking forward to 2013 and having both BARC and Simon [North] looking after the Clio Cup”, said Mark Hunt, principal of 2012 Driver and Entrants’ championship winners Team Pyro, “You don’t realise what you’ve got until you’ve lost something, having Simon back as Championship Manager is really good for everyone.

“BARC is all about racing 100 percent, they understand what’s needed and how to make championships like Clio Cup work and be a success – especially in such tough economic times. They’re used to working from grass roots all the way up to the BTCC itself so they have the experience. With Dunlop coming in as well, it’s giving it a whole new lease of life.”

Renault UK Clio Cup stalwart Colin Stancombe, inimitable figurehead at Stancombe Vehicle Engineering, commented: “I’m delighted to see a professional organisation, and thoroughly professional people, back in control of Clio Cup – it’s precisely what the championship needs after a difficult year in 2012.

“With the knowledge and experience offered by BARC and Simon, and the support which BARC will give, the championship can’t fail to succeed. It’ll make such a difference to all of the teams and drivers to have people who really care about Clio Cup looking after it again.”

Lee Brookes, team principal of multiple title winning squad Total Control Racing, added: “It really is good news for the teams and the championship as a whole to have Simon back in charge with BARC – it’s back to the old days when everything ran smoothly. With BARC there to help, and people like Ian Watson behind the championship 100 percent, it’s great.

“It’s great to have a clear direction for Clio Cup now, that’s what we’ve needed, and with Dunlop coming in I know they’ll provide a good tyre. I used to race on them myself in touring cars, and won a championship on them, so I’ve got no worries there. It’s all good news.”

2013 Renault UK Clio Cup Calendar

Rds1&2 Brands Hatch Indy, Kent 30/31 March

Rds3&4 Donington Park National, Leicestershire 20/21 April

Rds5&6 Thruxton, Hampshire 04/05 May

Rds7&8 Oulton Park Island, Cheshire 08/09 June

Rds9&10 Croft, North Yorkshire 22/23 June

Rds11&12 Snetterton 300 Circuit, Norfolk 03/04 August

Rds13&14 Rockingham ISSC, Northamptonshire 14/15 September

Rds15&16 Brands Hatch Grand Prix, Kent 12/13 October

Clio Cup Battle Rocks Rockingham!

The Clio Drivers brave the weather to collect their prizes

 Paul Rivett completed a winning weekend claiming victory in Sunday’s wet Round 12 of the AirAsia Renault UK Clio Cup, shortening Jack Goff’s championship lead to just 15 points.

The race was started behind the safety car due to the wet conditions, which favoured three-time champion Rivett who proved he has what it takes to race on a wet track as well as sea after securing the P1 Aqua X Sea-Doo Challenge title last weekend.

With the lights of the safety car out, the race was go with championship leader Jack Goff bolting into the first corner. Rivett meanwhile was not going to make it easy for him, and similar to today’s previous race, Rivett pulled the exact same move on Goff for the lead into Deene hairpin. Once ahead, the Banstead driver began to pull out a sizeable lead and was the first driver to be greeted by the chequered flag to make it four consecutive wins and fastest lap.

‘I had a great race’, expressed Rivett. ‘To start under the safety car was the right decision as those conditions were quite bad and I imagine they must have been quite hairy for the guys at the back through the first turn. I was pleased with the whole race in general. I knew I was quicker than Jack and once I got passed him I just disappeared into the distance. The Stancombe boys have done a fantastic job on the car this weekend, to make it go that quick in the wet and pull away from the others like that is just superb. I would also like to thank PER HIRE for getting me here in the first place.’

Four on the bounce now and we’ve got to keep that going, which will be eight on the bounce by the end of the season. We’re on a roll and we’re going to keep that going’, said a delighted Rivett.

Having lead the championship from the very first weekend at Brands Hatch in April, Goff was looking to go one better than in today’s previous round, but it wasn’t to be. The High Wycombe driver produced a stunning drive, but due to poor visibility from a steamed up windscreen, he eventually had to surrender the lead and settle for the second step on the podium for the second time this weekend.

‘It was very eventful’, said Goff. ‘We got a great start and I was able to get the break on the rest of the field before the second safety car came out. It was all going quite well, the carfelt good, but once the safety car pulled into the pits we began to struggle with all-round grip, oversteer on the entrance and understeer in the middle of the corners, which I was trying to deal with in tough conditions but my windscreen steamed up so badly that I couldn’t see out of it at all. I began guessing where I was meant to turn in, it got to the point where it was just hope knowing where I had to turn in. That race was really a matter of just hanging on. We’ve led the championship from the very first race and we have to make sure we’re leading it after the last race.’

Rounding off the podium in third once again was James Dixon, who, similar to all the drivers, found the conditions difficult and spent the majority of the race on his own despite setting consistent fast lap times. The 22-year old will now be looking to hold on to his third position in the driver’s table heading into the final two weekends of the season.

Renault Clio Motorboats battling around Rockingham

‘It was good fun’, expressed Dixon. ‘It was a bit of a boring race on my own, we seemed strong at the start but Paul began to pull away at midpoint as he seemed to have a bit more cornering grip than me, which is unfortunate, but to finished third is another great handful of points. With Paul and Jack ahead of me in the championship, I haven’t been able to catch them at all, but I’m happy with today. It was two podiums that we didn’t have at the start of the season.’

Also replicating his finishing position from today’s earlier race was Rookie winner Josh Cook. The 20Ten Racing driver, who prefers the wet conditions, was able to hold off a rampaging Josh Files, who was also experiencing tough visibility conditions due to a steamed windscreen, to bring the car home in a strong fourth place and extend his lead by 31 points over rival Ant Whorton-Eales in the Rookie Trophy championship.

Even in the tricky wet conditions, the drivers were able to keep all four wheels on the track and bring the cars home in one piece, except from Scuderia Vittoria’s Ronnie Klos and MBR’s Mike Bushell, who ran wide at Gracelands beaching himself in the gravel pit.

As for the ELF Masters Trophy, it was once again Simon Belcher who brought his black and yellow KÄRCHER Clio home in twelfth place and collect his bottle of champagne, Masters hat and trophy.

‘Survival would probably be the best description of today’, said a relived Belcher. ‘Conditions were really tough we didn’t really have the balance in the car to start with. I had a feeling the car was going to be a bit like that as the car had a lot of oversteer to start with, so that wore the front tires down a bit and then the balance of the car came back to me, which towards the end we got quicker and quicker.’

After four years of racing in the AirAsia Renault UK Clio Cup Championship, it was time for veteran Darren Wilson to hang up his Clio gloves to focus more on the management of 20Ten Racing Ltd. The 46-year old will not be absent from the Clio paddock as he intends on attending every race to support the team and drivers for the rest of this season and next.

‘My final race wasn’t great at all’, commented Wilson. ‘I had no grip, and I don’t know if everyone was the same, but I was struggling to keep the car on the track, which is not a great way to finish your Clio Cup career. It was very slippery out there. Klos went off in front of me on the green flag lap, twice, so that showed just how slippery it was out there. As soon as we tried to get up to racing speed I couldn’t stay with anybody as I had no grip, so it was a matter of trying to survive and bring the car home in one piece.’

‘Hopefully I am going to be doing some classic car racing next year and also maybe do some other championships, but I will mainly be focusing on running the team and hopefully getting three strong drivers in the team for next year. Roll on Clio in 2013!’

The championship has a one-week break before action resumes at the Britain’s legendary Silverstone circuit on the 6/7 October. All attention will be on title rivals Rivett and Goff as the championship enters its last two race weekends.

Round 12 Classification

1. Paul RIVETT PER HIRE/SVE Laps 13 25:14.158
2. Jack GOFF Team Pyro +5.856
3. James DIXON Total Control Racing +7.128
4. Josh COOK 20Ten Racing +8.587
5. Josh FILES Team Pyro +8.944
6. James COLBURN Westbourne Motorsport +11.412
7. Adam BONHAM Team Pyro +12.743
8. Stefan HODGETTS Scuderia Vittoria +13.472
9. Jake GIDDINGS Finesse Motorsport Ltd +16.330
10. Ignas GELZINIS Juta Racing +17.455

Drivers’ Championship after Round 12:

Driver	Points
Jack Goff	311
Paul Rivett	296
James Dixon	242
Adam Bonham	219
Josh Files	209
Josh Cook	176
Ant Whorton-Eales	145
James Colburn	142
Stefan Hodgetts	131
Vic Covey	110
Ignas Gelzinis	106
Aaron Williamson	99
Simon Belcher	92
Mike Bushell	85
Kim Anderson	82
Jake Giddings	80
William Davison	77
Rob Smith	71
Luke Wright	60
Finlay Crocker	57
Darren Wilson	46
Tautvydas Barstys	44
Nic Hamilton	43
Adam Gould	39
Ronnie Klos	22
Mark Tilbury	19
David Grady	12

Entrants’ Trophy after Round 12:

Team Pyro	604
Scuderia Vittoria	404
Westbourne Motorsport	347
Stancombe Vehicle Engineering	329
Total Control Racing	231
20Ten Racing	222
Finesse Motorsport Ltd	179
Juta Racing	153
MBR	87
Silver Fox Racing	19

 

Double wins for Colburn in Clio Cup

The drivers on the mobile podium

James Colburn took to the top step of the AirAsia Renault UK Clio Cup podium for the second time rounding off a perfect weekend for himself and the Westbourne Motorsport team at a soaking wet Thruxton.

Colburn, a regular to the podium in 2011, was delighted with the result. “An excellent two wins! The weather was torrential. I could barely see where I was going at some points. It’s been fantastic though, great for the team and hopefully we can take our championship from here.”

“You could barely see your own front bonnet it was that bad. You would be going down into Church and you had to guess where your braking points were because it was changing that much. There were different puddles coming from all different places. It was unbelievable!”

Due to heavy rain and high winds, the race was started in single file under safety car conditions for the first three laps.

Upon the restart, former Ginetta Junior champion Adam Bonham took the lead into turn one. Soon after Josh Files made his move to take second but it was to be short lived as both Bonham and Files ran wide at Noble dropping Files to third and forcing Bonham to return to the pits.

With the front runners out of place, PER HIRE/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering’s

Paul Rivett made the most of the opportunity to take the lead. The increasingly wet conditions seemingly suiting the multiple Clio Cup winner, who is soon to make his debut in the P1 AquaX jet-ski championship.

High speed action at a unusually dry Thruxton

The first victims of the treacherous conditions were Total Control Racing’s Rob Smith and Saturday’s Rookie Cup winner Mike Bushell both meeting the barriers at speed due to standing water at Allard causing the release of the safety car.

Three laps later, the safety car lights were off and the rain soaked race began yet again. Rivett lead down into turn one, Colburn in second and Team Pyro team mates Files and Jack Goff fighting for third position, closely followed by Josh Cook. With a five-car train battling for the lead, contact soon ensued between leading Rookie Josh Cook and Files, the latter spinning onto the grass forcing Files to rejoin down in 13^th position.

Up ahead, Rivett was able to pull out a short lead from second placed Colburn, but on the final lap, Colburn gained a good tow to pass the triple-champion into turn one, which he held to the chequered flag.

“It was an absolutely great race,” said Rivett. “A second place but it was a shame I wasn’t quite able to hold on for the win. To be honest, I thought we were on the last lap and we weren’t so that being the reason as to why James got through.

“The conditions were absolutely treacherous out there so I’m just glad I brought the PER HIRE/Stancombe Vehicle Engineering car home. I’ve never driven in conditions as bad as that before.”

“I’m really, really pleased with the final result. We didn’t have a great qualifying session and we have turned it into two great race results meaning more points in the bag. Overall, it’s been a great weekend.”

Current championship leader Jack Goff held onto third to take the final podium position. “It was lethal to be honest. It was touch and go whether the race would go ahead, the conditions were that bad. Even behind the safety car it was hard to keep the car in a straight line, I’m just glad I was able to bring the car back in one piece and keep more points on the board for the championship.”

Scuderia Vittoria’s James Dixon had a quiet but positive race, starting from eighth, he made his way up to finish fourth and take the fastest lap.

Cook, looking for his first Rookie Cup win of the season, was unable to hold his fourth position, losing out to fellow rookie and ex-Swedish Junior Ice Racing racer, Kim Andersson on the final lap.

“It’s great,” said Andersson. “The wet conditions are my favourite as I’m more comfortable with them. It was a little like rallying and ice racing so I’m hoping for more rain later in the season.”

Also making progress from the start, Lithuanian Ignas Gelzinis finished seventh from eleventh, followed by Vic Covey who made up nine places from the grid to take the flag in eighth. In ninth was ex-rally driver Adam Gould recovering well from a spin on the opening laps.

Rounding out the top ten was Finesse Motorsport Ltd’s 19-year old Aaron Williamson who made the most of the wet conditions to finish in 10^th position having started in down in 23^rd after struggling with mechanical problems throughout the weekend.

Just behind Williamson and narrowly missing out on a top ten finish, Scotsman Finlay Crocker came home in 11^th place to take the ELF Masters Trophy, 4.958secs ahead of Saturday’s Masters trophy winner Simon Belcher in 12^th place.

The weather conditions for the Clios, Porsches, Ginettas and Touring Cars
were on times treacherous 

“I really enjoyed it, when I could see where I was going, less fun when I couldn’t see,” expressed the former Scottish Mini Challenge driver. “I lost two places at Church on the last lap because I didn’t even see they were there to be honest. To finish 11^th from starting 22^nd is quite good, I’m very happy with that.”

Having had two top ten grid positions, Total Control Racing’s Nicolas Hamilton had a mixed weekend in the difficult conditions, spinning twice in the second race concluding his day in eighteenth place.

The championship now takes a break, resuming at the Cheshire circuit, Oulton Park on June 9-10, where the tight title battle is set to continue.

Round 6 Results

1. James COLBURN Westbourne Motorsport Laps 15 28:54.058
2. Paul RIVETT PER HIRE/SVE +1.041
3. Jack GOFF Team Pyro +1.356
4. James DIXON Scuderia Vittoria +1.989
5. Kim ANDERSSON Team Pyro +3.049
6. Josh COOK 20Ten Racing +4.735
7. Ignas GELZINIS Juta Racing +9.429
8. Vic COVEY Scuderia Vittoria +14.399
9. Adam GOULD Stancombe Vehicle Engineering +14.706
10. Aaron WILLIAMSON Finesse Motorsport Ltd +15.105

Drivers’ Championship after Round 6:

Driver	Points
Jack Goff	159
Paul Rivett	137
Adam Bonham	130
James Dixon	116
James Colburn	102
Josh Files	100
Ant Whorton-Eales	94
Kim Andersson	72
Josh Cook	69
Luke Wright	60
Vic Covey	60
Ignas Gelzinis	53
Aaron Williamson	49
Adam Gould	39
Simon Belcher	37
Mike Bushell	36
William Davison	36
Finlay Crocker	31
Nic Hamilton	28
Rob Smith	27
Jake Giddings	24
Darren Wilson	20
Ronnie Klos	15
Mark Tilbury	14
Tautvydas Barstys	10

Entrants’ Trophy after Round 6:

Team Pyro	319
Westbourne Motorsport	217
Scuderia Vittoria	209
Stancombe Vehicle Engineering	176
20Ten Racing	89
Finesse Motorsport Ltd	73
Juta Racing	66
Total Control Racing	55
MBR	38
Silver Fox Racing	14