Of the 34 drivers so-far registered for the 2004 Formula Renault UK Championship, eight – including race-winner Paul Di Resta (Bathgate, West Lothian) - will be eligible for the inaugural ‘Graduate Cup’ which carries a fantastic prize worth £10,000.

Designed to run within the main Formula Renault UK Championship, Graduate Cup points will be awarded on the same basis as the full scoring system with the exception of fastest laps which will not count towards the totals. Each driver’s 10 best results from the season’s 20 races will then be collated and the Graduate Cup winner will be the one with the best score.

To be eligible for the Graduate Cup drivers must be 19-years old or under on 1st March, meaning Craig Dolby (Melton Mowbray), James Jakes (Cuddington), Rodolfo Gonzalez (Attleborough, Norfolk), Josh Weber (Tiverton, Devon), Sean Edwards (Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames), Ronayne O’Mahony (Kilcock, Co.Kildare) and Canadian Sean McIntosh all join Scottish ace Di Resta in the battle for the championship within a championship.

Di Resta, cousin of Indy racing ace Dario Franchitti, is expected to be a front-runner in the full championship standings so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility he could scoop both the Formula Renault UK Championship title and the Graduate Cup, although he will face some strong challenges.

Commenting on the new-for-2004 Graduate Cup, Formula Renault UK Championship Manager Simon North said: “Formula Renault is a two-year category for young drivers, so we felt it was important for us to give newcomers within the championship more recognition.

“It is the foremost championship for talent spotters to seek future stars and with the Graduate Cup, people will find it easier to see the progress of emerging drivers.”

The £10,000 prize voucher will become active when redeemed in the 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship.

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