PRIZE BTCC TEST ANNOUNCED FOR RENAULT UK CLIO CUP CHAMPION

Renault UK Clio Cup organisers have today, Friday, 15th February, announced a sensational prize package for the 2013 champion – a test drive in an NGTC car from the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and the use of a new road going Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo for one year.
Britain’s most popular one-make saloon car category, a mainstay of the BTCC support package, has been reinvigorated with the arrival of the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) as promoter and the return of Simon North to the role of championship manager.
As part of the refreshed outlook for this year’s Renault UK Clio Cup, new official tyre partner Dunlop will provide a fully-funded test day for the eventual champion with leading BTCC squad Motorbase Performance at the wheel of one of the team’s NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) challengers.
Furthermore, Renault UK will loan the title winner one of its brand new, 1.6-litre turbo-charged Clio Renaultsport 200 road cars. The fourth generation of the giant-killing ‘hot hatch’, which was revealed to the world at last September’s Paris Motor Show, will go on sale to UK buyers in mid-April.
“This really is a fantastic prize package”, said championship manager North, “Added to the prestige of winning one of UK motorsport’s biggest and most coveted titles, our champion will also have the chance to showcase their skills in a current specification NGTC touring car. On behalf of everyone involved with the Renault UK Clio Cup, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Dunlop and Motorbase.
“Renault UK’s unfaltering commitment to national motor racing is key to the long-standing and continued success of the Clio Cup, the provision of a brand new Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo road car for this year’s champion is yet further proof of the importance Renault places on the championship.”
In addition to the prize test put forward by Dunlop, its arrival as the official tyre supplier to the Renault UK Clio Cup has helped move the category even closer to the BTCC. Solidifying the Clio Cup’s position as a key rung on the ladder for aspiring professional touring car drivers, the championship continues to be the true antechamber for the BTCC.
Renault UK Clio Cup has long been a career springboard into touring cars and the reigning champion, Jack Goff, has already made the step-up into the BTCC for 2013 off the back of a hard-fought title win last season.
In 2012, a quarter of the BTCC grid comprised Clio Cup graduates, including 2010 Renault UK Clio Cup Champion Dave Newsham and 2006 title winner Tom Onslow-Cole. Reigning FIA World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff, meanwhile, also cut his teeth in the Clio Cup.
Rounds one and two of the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup will take place at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent over Easter weekend, 30th/31st March.