Renault
UK and Renault Sport Technologies have
taken the difficult decision to postpone running the CERTINA
Formula Renault UK Championship this season due to the low
number of entries.
With
six cars registered and just two weeks to go to the opening round
supporting the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch,
organisers have decided to suspend this year’s championship and
divert all efforts towards returning the championship to full
health in 2013.
“This
is the most sensible decision for all concerned”, said Renault UK
Managing Director Thierry Sybord upon hearing the news. “Initially
there is a feeling of shock that this prestigious series will not
take place this year but, upon reflection, trying to run the Formula
Renault UK Championship in its current state is unacceptable for the
drivers, teams, sponsors, suppliers and, of course, the spectators.”
It
is anticipated that the six drivers registered for the UK
championship will have the opportunity to race their Formula Renault
2.0 cars across the English Channel in the Northern European Cup
series.
Formula
Renault UK has run continuously since 1989 when it was introduced by
the British Automobile Racing Club. Renault UK came on board in 1990
and the championship flourished producing a number of front-running
Formula One drivers among them world champions Kimi Räikkönen
and
Lewis Hamilton. Multiple World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx,
and
BTCC’s own Jason Plato are also Formula Renault “old boys”.
Whilst
Formula Renault UK will have a year’s sabbatical, the Air Asia
Renault UK Clio Cup will continue to run according to its published
calendar. The Clio Cup is looking strong this year with 24 registered
drivers.
It's not yet certain what will replace Formula Renault on the BTCC support bill, More news as we get it.
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