Stars bid farewell to the UK Clio Cup
RENAULT UK CLIO CUP
Renault UK Clio Cup teams are “frustrated” and “disappointed” that the popular series will be axed at the end of this season.
It was confirmed shortly before Christmas that the manufacturer would not continue to support the series beyond 2019. That coincides with the planned introduction of the new fifth-generation Clio, as well as the end of the category’s current deal to appear on the British Touring Car Championship support bill.
Apart from a hiatus for the Spider Cup from 1996-99, Clios have been everpresent on TOCA since the BTCC support package started in ’93. They have launched countless drivers into the BTCC.
“It’s disappointing really,” said Westbourne Motorsport team boss Richard Colburn. “It’s just a shame after such a long heritage [the series began in 1991]. It’s had some great races over the years and I’m sure they’ve sold many cars [off the back of it].”
Matrix Motorsport team principal
Dave Hayes, who first began working in the Clio Cup as a 16-year-old in 2000, added: “It was not something we were expecting. Everything comes to an end at some point. It’s a big thing for me because it’s been a part of my life for so long. It’s frustrating but it’s out of our control.”
WDE Motorsport was considering quitting the series, but is now set to remain for the final season. “I could see it coming a mile off,” admitted team principal Wayne Eason. “There was no commitment and nobody looking to renew a contract would leave it until now.”
Renault Sport Racing sporting manager Tarik Ait Said explained that it was not an easy decision for Renault UK to bring the category to an end.
“We had meetings with Renault UK to work out what would be the future,” he told Autosport. “The environment has changed. For Renault it’s very important that it makes sense from a marketing point of view. It was a compromise on what was the best thing to do with the budget that we have.
“Even if it’s got a grid of 20 to 25 cars, financially speaking a good grid would be above 30. If you rate it from a TV point of view, it’s fantastic with the public. From a marketing point of view, with the new car coming and all the things that would be required, it was hard for them to see how the Clio Cup would fit in 2020.”