2012 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup

Resident Columnists

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 16:50

The 2012 AirAsia Renault Clio Cup UK looks set for another exciting season.

With many new teams and drivers confirmed already, the current crop of Renault Clio racers are lining up in the wings. Last year’s Teams Champion, Team Pyro, are set to run a full six car team, whilst 2011 newcomers in Scuderia Vittoria also return with an expanded operation of up to six cars after

filling four seats already. Team head Danny Buxton announced that Luke Wright will return to the series and will be accompanied by Mini Challenge convert Finlay Crocker, Scottish Mini Cooper Cup champion Vic Covey Junior and former Scottish Legends racer Ronnie Clos.

Westbourne Motorsport, headed by paddock favourite James Colburn adds a full season teammate in Ant Whorton-Eales. Ant is no stranger to the grid, having competed in the final few races of last years’ season and the taste of Clio has brought him back hungry for more. Another returnee from 2011 is Simon Belcher, who’s new fabulously liveried Karcher car, running under the name of Handy Motorsport, was unveiled during the Autosport International Show in Birmingham. Lithuanian powerhouse Juta Racing brings in a European flavoured assault to the Clio paddock. Expanding their Porsche operation to include three brand new Clios, two seats are already filled by Tautvydas Barstys Junior and Ignis Gelzinis.

Using racecars based on the road-going Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup, the Championship continues to be a breeding ground for future Touring Car drivers. You will be hard pressed to find a driver who’s come through Clio that describes the car as nothing but a fun, exciting speed rocket around Britain’s best race circuits.

Calendar

Testing
Tues 20 March (Launch/Media Day) Brands Hatch Indy

Season
31 March – 1 April Brands Hatch Indy
14 – 15 April Donington Park National
28 – 29 April Thruxton
9 – 10 June Oulton Park Island
11 – 12 August Snetterton 300
22 – 23 September Rockingham ISSC
6 – 7 October Silverstone National
20 – 21 October Brands Hatch GP

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