Plant to make Clio Cup debut with WDE in partnership with Vanquish

Former Alfa Romeo champion Paul Plant will race in the Renault UK Clio Cup this season with WDE Motorsport in association with newcomer Vanquish Motorsport.

Plant raced in the Clio Cup Winter Series in 2009 but will now race in the main series at Brands Hatch in Paul Rivett’s old car. It’s uncertain if Plant will complete the full season.

“We will be prepping and running the car,” said WDE’S Rivett, who he is yet to reveal his plans for 2016. “At the moment he is starting the season with us and will be seeing how he gets on.”

Plant has raced with Vanquish and the team is eager to move into the Clio category. “The Clio Cup is a series we’ve always had our eye on,” said team co-owner Jon Billingsley. “We thought we’d bite the bullet and give it a go.

“The reason we picked Paul is we knew he would be quick out the box. On the first day of testing at Brands Hatch he was quicker than Charlie Ladell [WDE driver] so the pace is definitely there.

“We are still trying to get some sponsorship – the aim is to do the whole season but we will definitely be at the first round [in partnership with WDE].”