Highly
successful Renault UK Clio Cup team JHR Developments has announced
its welcome return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
support category after today, Friday, 18th January, officially
confirming its first driver signing – reigning Rookie Cup Champion
Josh Cook (Bath).
 |
| JHR return to scenes of success in the Clio Cup |
The
Dronfield-based squad, headed by former Clio Cup front-runner and
multiple race winner Steven Hunter, last competed in the championship
with a part campaign in 2011. During the preceding years JHR twice
won the Entrants’ Championship – in 2008 and 2009 – and also
steered Lee Pattison to the Masters Cup title and the Vice-Champion’s
position in the overall standings in 2010.
First
appearing in Clio Cup racing in 2004 as ‘Team Gatecrasher’ in
deference to title sponsorship from the world-famous nightclub brand,
JHR has a long association with Renault championships having been
formed in 1995 to compete in Formula Renault UK and Eurocup Formula
Renault.
Since
withdrawing from the Clio Cup a couple of years ago, JHR has remained
a force in national motorsport with great success in other
categories. Now, with the return of Simon North to the role of
Championship Manager and the arrival of the British Automobile Racing
Club (BARC) as promoter, Hunter says the time is right for JHR to be
back in the BTCC’s chief feeder category.
“We
spoke to Josh [Cook] at the end of last year, we’d kept an eye on
his performances all season, and we always said if we were going to
look at coming back into Clios it had to be with a driver like him so
we could be competitive from the off”, commented Hunter.
“With
Simon [North] back at the helm managing the championship, along with
the BARC, Clio Cup is back in the right hands and a place you want to
go racing. We’re aiming to run two cars this year and our overall
plan is to re-establish JHR in the Clios ready for the arrival of the
new car in 2014.”
Cook
was one of the star performers in Clio Cup last year, his first full
season in the category, and achieved his maiden outright podium in
round seven at Oulton Park. He went on to claim two overall victories
during the penultimate event at Silverstone National Circuit. In
addition to his domination of the Rookie Cup, he was an impressive
fifth overall in the main championship.
The
21-year-old will certainly be a major challenger in the 2013 Renault
UK Clio Cup, the final season for the existing third generation car,
and Hunter is confident the new partnership will be able to hit the
ground running and be serious competition from the outset.
“Josh
is a super quick driver, very committed and he’s already a proven
race winner in one of the most competitive championships out there,
we’ve got no doubts he’ll be a regular front-runner”, he added,
“We’re looking forward to fighting at the front and being back as
part of the Renault family.”
Rounds
one and two of the 2013 Renault UK Clio Cup will take place across
Easter weekend, 30th/31st March, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in
Kent.
2013
Renault UK Clio Cup Calendar
Rds1&2
Brands Hatch Indy, Kent
30th/31st March
Rds3&4
Donington Park National, Leicestershire 20th/21st April
Rds5&6
Thruxton, Hampshire
4th/5th May
Rds7&8
Oulton Park Island, Cheshire
8th/9th June
Rds9&10
Croft, North Yorkshire
22nd/23rd June
Rds11&12
Snetterton 300 Circuit, Norfolk
3rd/4th August
Rds13&14
Rockingham ISSC, Northamptonshire
14th/15th September
Rds15&16
Brands Hatch Grand Prix, Kent
12th/13th October
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