Hot teenage property Senna Proctor (Bridlington) has announced a move to the Renault UK Clio Cup with the returning JHR Developments squad and with backing from Simpson Race Products, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of motor racing kit.
Driving for JHR, 17-year-old Proctor won the Ginetta Junior crown at Brands Hatch in October only to agonisingly have it taken away from him when a race result was later amended.
Proctor commented: “We have already shaken down the new car at Donington Park last week and I am looking forward to getting to grips with it over the next few months with JHR which has a winning past in the championship.
“It was a shame to miss out on the Ginetta title but that is now history as we look to 2016. I’m delighted to be working again with JHR after we’ve built such a strong relationship together these past two seasons.
“I’ve really fallen in love with the UK Clio Cup car. It is superbly engineered – ultra-professional – and the performance really gives you a big smile as a racing driver.”
He added: “This is a two-year plan. The UK Clio Cup is the natural route to the British Touring Car Championship and there is no point in rushing. Hopefully I can start collecting podiums in 2016 and really learn from it, with the ambition of going out and winning the title in 2017 and ultimately building towards the BTCC in 2018.”
JHR team boss Steven Hunter said: “We have been looking at a return to the UK Clio Cup in 2016 and when Senna wanted to move up into the championship the decision was made very easy. The opportunity to run Senna was not going to slip through our fingers. Senna is a pleasure to work with and undoubtedly a great talent for the future.
“This is a challenge I am personally looking forward to and our plans are to run a multi-car team. The door is very much open for drivers to come and talk to us.”
Renaultsport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes enthused: “It’s fantastic to see Senna choosing the UK Clio Cup and also nice to hear a young driver very wisely committing to a two-year programme so as to really learn their craft as they work towards a seat in touring cars. He is the latest excellent young racing talent to join our grid for 2016 and I am sure he will hit the ground running…
“We very much welcome back JHR to our grid as well. Their proven track record in the championship makes them a real force to be reckoned with and their reputation adds to the influx of high-level teams that are joining the championship.”
The Renault UK Clio Cup will again race alongside the star-studded BTCC in 2016 meaning huge trackside crowds and live free-to-air television coverage across the UK on the ITV4 channel.
