Young gun takes over from team boss

MOMO UK has seized the opportunity following early season discussions, to sign 24-year-old Stefan Hodgetts for the team’s on-going assault on the 2007 Elf Renault Clio Cup.

Replacing MOMO team owner Sean Brown, Stefan - son of two-time BTCC champion and Le Mans 24 Hr winner Chris Hodgetts - has a wealth of motorsport experience despite his youthful age, having raced in Formula Three, Formula Vauxhall, Formula Renault, the Seat Cupra Championship and BTCC.

Commenting on the new driver line-up, Sean Brown said; “Stefan is a driver with a great racing pedigree, and getting him into the car now will increase our chances of success this season.

“Motor racing has increasingly become a young man’s sport, and signing Stefan will allow me more time to focus on running the team and using our involvement to promote MOMO race and teamwear and the fast-road offering, including MOMO road wheels and tuning products.”

For his part, Hodgetts is confident heading to Rockingham despite very little testing time, commenting; “I’m coming in pretty fresh and have won races at this level before so I’m looking forward to getting up to speed quickly.”

Racing alongside Stefan is the son of Sean Brown, Robert, who although only 18, has already banked his first kart championship title and finished third overall in the SaxMax Championship last year - his first season of saloon car competition - as well as previously learning from his new team-mate in Hodgetts’ role as a racing driver instructor.

Following the opening rounds at Brands Hatch, the Clio Cup series continues this weekend at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby, Northants.