Silverstone National Circuit will make a welcome return to the Renault UK Clio Cup calendar next year after championship organisers revealed an 18 round season for 2015 – supporting the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at nine of its 10 events.
Making its first visit to the home of the British Grand Prix since 2012, Renault UK’s flagship motor racing championship will therefore forego the BTCC’s annual trip to Snetterton in Norfolk in early August in order to retain an 18 race season.
This means the Clio Cup competitors and teams will enjoy a lengthy eight week summer break in between the races at Croft in North Yorkshire on 27th/28th June and the visit north of the border to Knockhill in Scotland on 22nd/23rd August.
“There was a strong desire to retain an 18 round calendar for next season and after looking closely at all of the options, we settled on the decision to miss the Snetterton event in August and make a return to Silverstone instead”, explained Will Fewkes, Renault UK Clio Cup Championship Manager.
“We’re sure the addition of Silverstone will be very popular with the drivers and teams, as will keeping Knockhill on the Clio Cup calendar. Our return there this year proved very successful, with the fans as well as the competitors, so we’re delighted to be racing in Scotland again in 2015. All in all, it’s another fantastic calendar.”
Beginning at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent over Easter weekend, 4th/5th April, the Renault UK Clio Cup will then visit Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire on 18th/19th April, before a trip to Thruxton in Hampshire – the home of the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) – on 9th/10th May.
Having raced at Oulton Park’s International Circuit last season, the BTCC package will revert to competing on the shorter Island Circuit configuration at the Cheshire venue on 6th/7th June ahead of the annual visit to Croft near Darlington at the end of June.
Following the summer sojourn, the Clio Cup will resume on 22nd/23rd August at Knockhill before two back-to-back events in Northamptonshire – the first at Rockingham’s International Super Sportscar Circuit on 5th/6th September followed by the return to Silverstone over the weekend 26th/27th September. The season will conclude at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit on 10th/11th October.
Prior to the championship curtain-raiser, the annual ‘Media Day’ incorporating the only officially timed test of the pre-season will take place on Wednesday, 25th March, at Rockingham International Super Sportscar Circuit.
The Renault UK Clio Cup is supported by ELF, Performance Friction, WP Racing and official tyre supplier Dunlop.
2015 Renault UK Clio Cup Calendar
4th/5th April Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, Kent Rds 1/2
18th/19th April Donington Park National Circuit, Leicestershire Rds 3/4
9th/10th May Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire Rds 5/6
6th/7th June Oulton Park Island Circuit, Cheshire Rds 7/8
27th/28th June Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire Rds 9/10
22nd/23rd August Knockhill Circuit, Fife Rds 11/12
5th/6th September Rockingham ISSC, Northamptonshire Rds 13/14
26th/27th September Silverstone National Circuit, Northamptonshire Rds 15/16
10th/11th October Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, Kent Rds 17/18
Official website: www.renaultsport.co.uk/championships/cliocup BUILT BY RACECAR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKClioCup
Twitter: @UKClioCup
Full results and timings available at www.tsl-timing.com
