27/03/2015 09:35
This year's Renault UK Clio Cup is set to be one of the hardest fought in history, having signed a wealth of young talent to compete in the championship under the British Touring Car teams.
There are now just ten days before the season gets under way with the first two of the championship's races taking place at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 April.
All 18 Clio Cup races this season will take place at British Touring Car events meaning huge trackside crowds and live TV coverage on ITV4.
The eventual Champion of the series will win high-profile tests in both Renaultsport's sensational 500bhp R.S.0.1 silhouette car, which races in Europe, and - courtesy of the Clio Cup's tyre supplier Dunlop - a British Touring Car with the Motorbase team.
Close to half the current BTCC grid including the majority of the leading names have competed in or won the Clio Cup or come from another of Renault UK's single-model racing categories.
Will Fewkes, Clio Cup Championship manager, said: "I am delighted with how our 2015 grid is taking shape and I know there are some more very nice announcements still to come. The quality of the teams and drivers is fantastic it would not surprise me to see six or more names all still in with a chance of winning the title when we get to Brands Hatch's final two rounds in October.
"Professionalism, quality of the product and giving the teams, drivers and their sponsors real credibility when they reflect on their achievements are top priorities for Renault UK when putting the Clio Cup together. There are also of course the highly prized Renaultsport and Motorbase BTCC tests for our eventual and very worthy Champion their name will add to those from the Clio Cup's past who have gone on to success in the BTCC and international GT and sportscar competition.
Jeremy Townsend, Renault UK communications director, added: "2015 will mark the 16th consecutive year that our Clio Cup has run and it looks like being one of the very best in terms of competition and excitement. The talent on the grid is exceptional and it is terrific to see that the connections between the Clio Cup's teams and drivers and the BTCC keep growing.
"Looking at the list of drivers who have progressed from the 'Renault family' and done so well in touring cars, GTs, sportscars and single-seaters right up to Formula 1 makes everyone at Renault UK and Renaultsport very proud. We look forward to seeing who from 2015's Clio Cup will join that very illustrious hall of fame."