Clios return to Knockhill
CLIO CUP
The Renault UK Clio Cup has confirmed that it will return to Knockhill in 2019 after a three-season absence.
The decision is in line with the views of several teams, which had said they were in favour of a first visit to the Scottish track since 2015. This followed the unveiling of the ’19 British Touring Car calendar with a second Thruxton visit in place of the traditional round at Rockingham.
Championship manager Will Fewkes said: “I think it’s something positive for the championship and there’s a very strong market for Renault in Scotland.”
The Clio series continues to visit nine of the 10 BTCC meetings, dropping its May date at Thruxton in order to visit the venue on its new date in August. This means there’s a near two-month gap after the second round at Donington Park before the third weekend of the season at Croft.
“I think it eases the financial strain at the start of the season when you’ve got the championship registration and the first couple of races,” said Fewkes. “It’s also a full weekend and not split [the early May meeting doesn’t feature a Friday test, with this taking place a week before the event].”
Three-time Clio Cup champion Paul Rivett said it was the right decision to go to Knockhill and not to Thruxton twice, but admits he would have liked Rockingham to remain on the calendar.
“I was disappointed to see Thruxton was on the calendar twice because we don’t go to the same circuit twice,” he said. “Knockhill is one of my favourites to drive.”