CLIO CUP TIES UP BTCC SUPPORT SLOT UNTIL ’19
Tin-top class inks new deal to stay on lucrative TOCA package
The Renault UK Clio Cup will remain part of the British Touring Car Championship support bill until at least the end of 2019 after signing a new three-year deal with BTCC organiser TOCA.
Renault UK’S championships have a long association with the BTCC, appearing alongside it since TOCA took over the running of the series in 1992. Since then the Clio Cup has established itself as a major BTCC feeder category, with half of the 2015 touring car grid having raced in Clios.
“This is good for Renault UK as it has been there with TOCA since it started,” said championship manager Will Fewkes. “It’s great to have the security of this deal for the teams, drivers and sponsors.”
Renault UK communications director Jeremy Townsend said: “BTCC events are without question the only place we would wish to position the Clio Cup in order to generate the levels of exposure we seek.
“We are grateful to TOCA for their professionalism and look forward very much to continue working with them and building on the BTCC’S huge success story into the future.”
BTCC series director Alan Gow said: “The Renault UK Clio Cup was truly re-energised in 2015 and ended the year on the crest of a wave with some superb action on-track and a title race that captured the imaginations of many motor racing fans. Renault are racers through and through so we are delighted that their Clio Cup will remain an integral part of the BTCC’S race weekends.”
Fewkes added that things are looking positive for the 2016 season, with a number of new cars sold over the winter. Grid numbers reached a two-year high at the end of 2015, and could be surpassed this year.
Fewkes also said that he doesn’t see the new B-TEC Development series for older Next Generation Touring Cars as a threat to the Clio championship’s success. “I don’t think it will be a problem,” he said. “You can’t go straight from karting to driving a touring car, you still need steps [like Clios] in between.”