As Early Entries Arrive
With more than one month until the first race of the season, a total of 26 registrations have been received for the Formula Renault BARC Championship. The low-cost single-seater series, which is intended to act as a feeder for the renowned Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship, enters its third season under the guidance of Renault Sport UK and is set for one of its strongest first-race fields.
Two classes race alongside each other in the Championship. The FR2000 Class is for post-2000 Formula Renault 2.0 cars, while Club Class welcomes Formula Renault cars built in 1999 and before. Registrations between the classes are evenly split so far, with 16 drivers entered in the FR2000 class and 10 in Club Class.
With 2006 FR2000 Class champion Richard Singleton (Conwy, Wales) joining Manor Competition in the Formula Renault UK Championship, Ian Pearson (Didcot, Oxon) is the only champion to return to the series, in defence of his Club Class title. His dad, Bob, will again line up alongside his son in their pair of Tatuus RC98/99 cars.
FR2000 Class entries are led by last season’s fifth-placed finisher Hywel Lloyd (Corwen, Denbighshire), the CF Racing driver who made one appearance on the podium in 2006. Returning for his fourth season in the championship is DS Motorsport’s David Scott (Heathfield, E Sussex), who scored a podium finish in 2006 at Brands Hatch, on his way to eighth overall.
Other returning FR2000 Class drivers with previous Formula Renault BARC experience are Falcon Motorsport duo Dean Stoneman (Southampton) and Robin Palmer (Yelverton, Devon), Jigsaw Engineering’s Louis Hamilton-Smith (Stratford Upon Avon) and Felix Fisher (Bridgwater).
Making their debuts in the championship are Chris Woodhouse (Kidderminster) and Ash Davies (Conwy, Wales). They are joined by an entry from Blackpool and Fylde College, where students on the Autosport degree course will work for the team. Former motorbike racer Craig Harris (Preston) will drive for the Blackpool and the Fylde College Racing team. The programme presents drivers with a unique chance to gain hands-on experience while completing their degree course.
Eurotek Motorsport, vice-champions in 2006 with Jordan Oakes, have two cars entered for the new season. South Korean driver Sung Hak Mun (Market Harborough) came to the team’s attention via its Formula Renault UK driver Jordan Oakes. The first Korean ever to register for Formula Renault BARC, he raced against Jordan’s older brother, Oliver, in karting and contacted the team to begin his car racing career. He is joined by current Renault Formula ICA kart racer David McDonald (Ewell).
Former ELF Renault Clio Cup champion team Boulevard Team Racing has entered one driver to make its single-seater debut. Joshua Brooks (Alford, Lincs), nephew of veteran Clio Cup racer Martin Johnson, will make his single-seater debut in the FR2000 Class. Experienced Formula Renault BARC team Russell Racing plans to run four cars, with as-yet unnamed drivers.
In Club Class, the Pearson father-and-son team is joined by Muzz Race duo Adrian Dixon (Harpenden, Herts) and Matthew Clark (Norwich) and returning competitor Bill Allen (Hungerford, Berks). Series debutants in Club Class are Jonathan Paddon (Solihull), Marcus Clutton (Oldham), RPT Racing’s Richard Taylor (Derby), Reon Motorsport’s Iain Morton (London) and Steven Durrant (Rayleigh, Essex).
An exclusive official pre-season test with Renault Sport UK support is scheduled for Tuesday, 17th April at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
Round one of the championship on Sunday, 29th April will be held at Leicestershire’s Donington Park on the National circuit. For all the latest Formula Renault BARC Championship news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar
