Protyre Formula Renault expands to 16 rounds

Formerly known as Formula Renault BARC - Protyre Formula Renault is aiming to expand for 2013

Organisers of the Protyre Formula Renault Championship are delighted to confirm an expanded 16 round calendar for 2013, featuring four ‘triple-header’ events and, as for the last two seasons, an extremely high-profile finale alongside the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

In-keeping with its growing reputation as a true national-level series in UK single-seater racing, the category will now be known as the Protyre Formula Renault Championship – the ‘BARC’ tag of old will no longer be used, although the British Automobile Racing Club continues its administrative role.

Moving to offer even greater value for money to competitors and teams in 2013, the already highly cost-effective championship will retain a six-weekend calendar but one which features 16 races in total, an increase of two rounds on 2012, with visits to some of the country’s most popular circuits.

Beginning at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire over the weekend 13th/14th April, the 2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship will then travel to Norfolk’s Snetterton 200 Circuit on 11th/12th May for the first of a run of four consecutive ‘triple-header’ events.

Thruxton in Hampshire will host the third race meeting of the season on 1st/2nd June, the annual visit to Croft in North Yorkshire will take place on 13th/14th July and the last of the triple-headers will be held at Rockingham in Northamptonshire over the weekend 10th/11th August.

Silverstone National Circuit in Northamptonshire will then host the final two races of the campaign on 28th/29th September, with the Protyre Formula Renault Championship joining the hugely popular BTCC support package as it has for the previous two seasons at the home of the British Grand Prix.

“We’re very happy with the calendar we’ve agreed with our teams and the BARC and delighted to have once again secured a support slot alongside the BTCC for our championship finale, we’re very grateful to Alan Gow [BTCC Series Director]”, said Protyre Formula Renault promoter Simon North.

“We’ve been working hard to try and offer even greater value for drivers and teams and with a 16 race calendar, four triple-header events and a BTCC support date I think we have an extremely strong package to offer. Our Tatuus Formula Renault 2.0 is well proven, reliable and a fantastic car in which to learn. After a sensational 2012, we’re very much looking forward to the 2013 season.”

In terms of changes to the qualifying format for 2013, at the triple-header events there will be two 15 minute sessions which will be separated by a 90 minute break. Each driver’s fastest time during the opening period will determine the race one grid with second fastest times setting the grid order for race two. The starting line-up for race three on any given weekend will be set during session two.

Where two rounds are contested, during the season-opening event at Donington Park and the series finale at Silverstone, there will be one 20 minute qualifying run with fastest and second fastest times determining the relevant grids in each instance.

Prior to the start of the 2013 campaign, the competitors and teams from Protyre Formula Renault will join their counterparts from the Renault UK Clio Cup for the pre-season ‘Media Day’ and timed test session on Thursday, 21st March, at Silverstone National Circuit.

Along with headline sponsor Protyre, Formula Renault is additionally supported by Michelin, The Lubricant Consultancy, Petronas Syntium and NGK Spark Plugs.

2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship Calendar
Rds 1/2  Donington Park National Circuit, Leicestershire - 13th/14th April
Rds 3/4/5 Snetterton 200 Circuit, Norfolk - 11th/12th May
Rds 6/7/8 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire - 1st/2nd June
Rds 9/10/11 Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire - 13th/14th July
Rds 12/13/14 Rockingham ISC, Northamptonshire - 10th/11th August
Rds 15/16 Silverstone National Circuit, Northamptonshire (BTCC) - 28th/29th September