BARC unveil Formula Renault 1.6

The new Formula Renault 1.6 takes pride of place on the BARC Stand

Representatives from the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) today, Thursday, 10th January, gave drivers, teams and members of the media their first chance to see the Formula Renault 1.6 car on UK soil during the opening day of the 2013 Autosport International Show at Birmingham NEC.

 

Presenting the ‘junior’ Formula Renault chassis to the biggest possible audience at the world’s most popular and heavily attended motorsport show of its kind, the BARC is evaluating interest shown by competitors and teams ahead of a planned introduction of the car into British motor racing in 2014.

 

Designed and constructed by Signature in France and powered by a 1.6-litre Renault engine, which produces 140bhp, the all-carbon Formula Renault 1.6 is a perfect entry-level single-seater for young drivers who are making the move into car racing for the first time.

 

With the hugely successful and cost-effective Protyre Formula Renault Championship having grown significantly in recent years under the stewardship of the BARC, the Thruxton-based organisation is confident the time is right to consider bringing a new, sensibly priced, standalone Formula Renault 1.6 Championship to UK shores to run alongside the sister category.

 

“We’ve been delighted with the interest shown in the 1.6 car already on just the opening day of the show”, said Protyre Formula Renault Championship promoter Simon North, “It’s a fantastic car for young drivers planning on moving up from karting or, indeed, those who are new to motorsport and considering a potential career in single-seaters.

 

The new car targets young drivers, and will run alongside the
Renault Clio Cup

“Dependant on the levels of interest shown and then further enquiries during the coming weeks and months, we will then make a decision on whether to introduce Formula Renault 1.6 into the UK in 2014. There’s also the possibility of bringing that forward and running a Winter Series for the car at the end of this year, that would be the ideal scenario.”

 

Formula Renault 1.6 will run in northern Europe this year with two championships established, the first running alongside the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup as an ‘NEC Junior’ series and the other as a Scandinavian Championship mainly based in Sweden.

 

In addition to its involvement with Protyre Formula Renault, its new position as custodian of the Renault UK Clio Cup and a lead role in the organisation of the recently announced Clio Cup Series, the BARC’s commitment to its partnership with Renault is as strong as ever