HERBERT & PINDER LEADING CHASE FOR PRIZE RENAULT UK CLIO CUP TESTS

18th August 2015


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With only one event remaining in the 2015 Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and Road Series, the battle for title glory in each category is reaching fever pitch – not least because of the prize test in a fourth generation Renault UK Clio Cup car which awaits the eventual champions.

As a key aspect of the prize package for the Michelin Clio Cup Series title winners, the Renault UK  backed test in a 2.0-litre turbo powered Clio for the respective Race and Road Series champions forms an important part of the ladder of progression which links the Clio Cup categories.

Team Pyro, a multiple championship winner in the British Touring Car Championship-supporting Clio Cup, will field the latest specification car for the two champions at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit on Friday, 9th October – one driver taking the morning session, the other the afternoon run.

As well as affording the successful racers the chance to sample the latest Renault Clio, the run will take place as part of the official pre-event test day for the Clio Cup’s season finale so the Race and Road Series title winners will have a serious benchmark with which to judge their own performances.

“Whoever wins the Race and Road Series crowns will thoroughly deserve their opportunity of a run in our UK Clio Cup race car on the eve of the British Touring Car Championship finals at Brands Hatch”, said Jeremy Townsend, Renault UK Communications Director.

“The quality of the Clio Cup grid has increased further still in 2015, with even greater ties to the BTCC, and this will provide the Race and Road Series winners with the ultimate benchmark as they look to further their careers. We look forward to welcoming them to Brands Hatch on 9th October.”

Mark Hunt, team principal of Barwell-based Pyro, concurs the prize test provides an important opportunity for the Michelin Clio Cup Series champions as they look to further their careers in saloon car competition.

“It’s a great prize for the Clio Cup Series champions, the perfect opportunity for them to experience what the BTCC supporting Clio Cup is all about”, said Hunt, “It looks like the Race Series and Road Series are both going to go down to the wire, so we’re looking forward to seeing which two drivers emerge as the champions and having the chance to work with them at Brands Hatch in October.”

Last year, Race Series champion Mike Robinson and Road Series counterpart Anton Spires had the opportunity to pilot the Team Pyro-run fourth generation Clio and each competitor thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Ahead of the final event of the current Michelin Clio Cup Race Series and Road Series campaign at Silverstone on 19th/20th September, Westbourne Motorsport’s Luke Herbert (Chichester) leads the Race Series battle while Luke Pinder (Shipley) tops the Road Series standings – and both drivers say the Renault UK Clio Cup test would be a big boost to their careers going forward.

Herbert commented: “If I win the Michelin championship I won’t do it again. It’s like when I won the Mazdas, there’s no point standing still or moving sideways, you’ve got to keep progressing and moving on. It’d be good to experience the new Clio and the difference between the manual box and the paddle-shift, I’ve been told there’s quite a difference between the cars actually.

“I had a run in the UK Clio Cup in 2013 [in the third generation car] and didn’t expect it to be as hard as it was but now, with a couple more years’ experience under my belt in front-wheel drive, I’d like to try it again. The prize test for the Race Series champion is a good way of putting yourself up against the UK Clio Cup drivers and seeing where you stand.”

Road Series pace-setter, and former rally driver, Pinder added: “Obviously, the plan is to win the championship and have the opportunity to drive the UK Clio Cup car. Next year we hope to step-up into the Race Series and then the plan is to keep moving up into the BTCC-supporting Clios.

“It’s a whole new ladder for me – I’ve driven a wide variety of rally cars but never anything like a ‘proper’ race car with full slicks. Having the chance to test the latest Clio would be absolutely amazing so hopefully we can keep our heads on the final weekend and get the job done.”

Along with headline sponsors Michelin and Protyre, the Clio Cup Series is additionally supported by Ferodo, Safety Devices and ALS Performance.

Track Days / Test Days / MotorsportDays.com