Pictures courtesy of Jakob Ebrey Photography
It’s been three years since the Renault UK Clio Cup last came to Scotland. Now, it’s just been confirmed that it will return to Knockhill next year as the series organisers announced the calendar for 2014. It comes hot on the heels of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) schedule. There was close consultation between the Clio Cup teams, the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) and Renault UK before the decision was taken to expand season to 18 races. Not only that, it will also be the debut campaign for the new 1.6-litre, fourth generation car.
The new Renault Clio Racing Car
The season will start at Brands Hatch in March before moving to Donington Park in Leicestershire on Easter Weekend, 19th/20th April. Next come Oulton Park in Cheshire on 7th/8th June and Croft in North Yorkshire on 28th/29th June.
There will then be a short summer break before the season resumes at Snetterton in Norfolk on 2nd/3rd August before heading north of the border to Knockhill on 23rd/24th August for the first time since 2010. During the Cup’s last visit to Scotland three years ago, Dave Newsham – who went on to graduate into the BTCC – secured two wins on his way to the Clio title.
From Scotland, the championship moves on to Rockingham in Northamptonshire and then makes a welcome return to Silverstone at the end of September. It ends with a second visit to Brands Hatch, albeit on the longer Grand Prix Circuit layout in October. “Our teams wanted to expand the calendar next year, so we’ve worked closely with them to arrive at an 18-race schedule which we expect to be popular with existing competitors and new drivers alike”, said championship manager Simon North. “On behalf of Renault UK and everyone involved behind the scenes of the Clio Cup, I’d like to say how delighted we all are to be returning to Knockhill next year and Silverstone as well. All in all we feel we have a very strong calendar for 2014″
Series organisers are also working to introduce a ‘Trophy Challenge’ aimed at offering drivers who enter the championship later in the year an opportunity to battle for a title. Each competitor will be able to count their four best results from the season to determine their Trophy Challenge placing.