A bigger grid than last season is expected for the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship as a further five drivers registered this week for the one-make series.

Mark Godwin’s MGR Motorsport announced the signing of Sheffield teenager Russell Danzey together with 18-year-old Nottingham racer Matt Mason. MGR Motorsport, who ran in the 2010 Winter Cup, is also expected to confirm a third driver in the coming weeks.

Championship winning team Scorpio Motorsport, returning to the series after a one-year absence, has announced its first signing in rising star Hector Hurst from Hampshire. Scorpio’s second seat is still to be confirmed but Winter Cup racer Howard Fuller is among the prospects after testing with the team at Silverstone recently.

Meanwhile Milton Keynes racer Andrew Jarman has signed for a second season with Simon Baldry’s SWB Motorsport outfit becoming the third driver of an expected four-car line-up following the recent signings of Jack Dex and Raoul Owens.

The fifth driver comes from new Staffordshire-based squad JWA Racing with 26-year-old Tom Walker from Chesterfield leading their single-car campaign.

Further registrations are expected over the coming weeks with Fortec Motorsport also still yet to announce their 2011 line-up with the team currently out testing potential drivers including former Ginetta Junior racer Louise Richardson.

“We had a very positive meeting with the teams this week and everyone is fired up for the new-look championship and the season ahead,” commented Championship Promoter Simon North. “We offer excellent value for money with a cost-effective high profile championship and I am confident we’ll see 20 or more cars on the grid this season.”

The opening rounds of the 2011 Protyre BARC season begin on 23rd/24th April at Donington Park with the final rounds (11 and 12) taking place as part of the BTCC support package at Silverstone in October.

2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship confirmed signings so far:

Archie Hamilton             Antel MotorsportCallum Bowyer               Antel MotorsportIvan Taranov                 Daytona MotorsportZaamin Jaffer                HillspeedSean Walkinshaw          HillspeedTom Walker                   JWA RacingRussell Danzey              MGR MotorsportMatt Mason                   MGR MotorsportJames Thorp                 MTechMax Robinson               PrivateerSteven Durrant               RPD MotorsportHector Hurst                  Scorpio MotorsportJack Dex                      SWB MotorsportAndrew Jarman              SWB MotorsportRaoul Owens                 SWB Motorsport