Renaultsport Trackday enthusiast Jake Honour is the latest motor racing rookie to commit to making his competitive debut in the all-new Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre after  confirming he will campaign a self-converted Clio Renaultsport 197 road car. 

The 21-year-old, from Melksham in Wiltshire, purchased his Clio two years ago for trackday events but always thought competitive motorsport was beyond his reach from a financial perspective. That view changed, though, after reading about the cost-effective British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) administered series on the official Renaultsport website www.renaultsport.co.uk

Honour, who is a qualified mechanical engineer by trade, will himself undertake the majority of conversion work on his road-going Clio utilising the official parts kit which is distributed by exclusive supplier Monster Sport Europe.In terms of track preparation the youngster has already been receiving some essential driver tuition from reigning Renault UK Clio Cup Champion, and British Touring Car Championship graduate, Jack Goff in order to try and make the most of his first ever season of competitive motorsport. First though, he needs to pass an ARDS testscheduled for early Aprilin order to gain his racing licence.Its only recently Ive been interested in racing really, the last three or four years, but I didnt think it would be possible financially to actually get out there and do it, said Honour, If I was going to try and race I wanted it to be in a one-make series, so this is absolutely perfect.Im doing everything myself pretty much, Ive had the Clio Ill be racing for two years and Im doing all of the work fitting the components from the kit. Ill be going to Mark Fish [official Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre partner] to have the Safety Devices roll cage fitted and Ill also probably ask him for some help with the suspension settings.Honours move from trackday participant to fully-fledged racer perfectly showcases the foundations on which the Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre is built. The whole philosophy of the category is to provide a cost-effective series in which those who have never competed before can embark on their first ever motor racing experience in a thoroughly professional, highly supportive environment.Prior to purchasing his Clio Renaultsport 197, which he will run with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 treaded road tyres in the Clio Cup Series, Honour owned a Twingo Renaultsport 133 with which he enjoyed 18 months of very happy motoring and trackday events. As a true fan of the Renaultsport brand, the racing newcomer is relishing the prospect of competing against like-minded enthusiasts.Its all pretty exciting really, I cant wait for the series to start, he added, The plan really is to just see how I go, its my first year in racing so I just want to take it one race at a time and if it goes well then Ill start approaching a few places to see if we can secure some sponsors. Its obviously early days but hopefully, with what Ive learnt from Jack [Goff], we can have a good go at it!The inaugural Michelin Clio Cup Series with Protyre campaign will begin on 11th/12th May at Norfolks Snetterton Circuit before visiting Croft in North Yorkshire, Rockingham in Northamptonshire and Kents Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. In total, the series will comprise eight races.Along with headline sponsors Michelin and Protyre, the Clio Cup Series is additionally supported by Safety Devices, Monster Sport Europe and The Lubricant Consultancy.