RENAULT SPORT CONSIDERING A BRITISH ONE-MAKE SERIES RETURN
Famous French firm eyes a return to running a single-make category for UK in coming seasons
Renault Sport could make its comeback to the British Rally Championship by the start of next season as senior figures explore the idea of rekindling its association with the UK series.
Benoit Nogier, Renault Sport Racing’s customer racing director, says there is “definitely a will” to return to the championship and that discussions with stakeholders are due to convene within weeks.
The format is expected to follow a similar path to the former one-make Twingo Renault Sport R1 and R2 Trophy series that ran within the British Rally Championship for three seasons from 2012 to 2014.
Any rekindled UK Trophy would feature the new Clio Rally5 which uses a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine paired to a sequential gearbox. Rally5 is the FIA’s new name for what used to be the R1 category.
Nogier told Motorsport News: “We are convinced the Clio Rally5 is the best tool to promote young drivers. Rally4 is for [established] drivers who want to win – those who are on the second step of the ladder.
“The prize for the winner of the trophy would [therefore] be an official seat with the
Clio Rally4 in the national championship the year after.”
While the Clio Rally5 has already been homologated, real-life test work with the first Rally4 mule only started last month.
Despite Covid-19 hampering efforts, Nogier is aiming to have the car finished and with the FIA by the first quarter of 2021.
Nogier confirmed the car will be available for both the UK and Irish markets once order books open.