Renault UK and the British Automobile Racing Club have announced a 12-race, eight-meeting calendar - including four ‘double-header’ events - for the inaugural season of the new low-cost Formula Renault BARC Championship.

Crucially, the championship will visit seven of the eight venues used by the existing Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin which is part of the British Touring Car Championship’s TOCA Tour. “Formula Renault BARC will develop as a feeder series for its TOCA Tour counterpart, so it is vital for drivers new to Formula Renault to have the chance to get as much mileage as possible on the tracks they will race on in 2006”, commented Championship Manager Simon North.

In keeping with the ‘low-cost’ plan for the new championship, the number of race meetings on its calendar has been kept to eight, two less than its stable-mate. “The BARC has done a great job making sure the calendar avoids clashing with the TOCA Tour, enabling teams to contest both championships if they wish.  No other category at this level gives its teams this type of option and I believe this will lead to a strong first season for Formula Renault BARC.”

The calendar has also been made to appeal to the championship’s new ‘Club’ class for pre 2000 Formula Renaults. “By condensing the calendar into eight race meetings we are aiming to increase entries from our amateur racers by making it easier for them to fit racing around work and family commitments. Few other series can offer club racers the chance to race at Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone and enjoy the use of pit garages”, added North.

Two weeks after the TOCA Tour opens at Donington Park, the 2005 Formula Renault BARC Championship gets underway on 24th April on the Leicestershire track’s National Circuit before its first ‘double-header’ meeting of 2005 at Pembrey Circuit in Wales on 21st/22nd May.

Silverstone National Circuit (used by TOCA Tour in 2005) will be the venue for round four 11th June, the fifth and sixth rounds of the season will be held at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on 25th/26th June and a visit to Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire follows on 17th July.

Rounds eight and nine will take place at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 30th/31st July, Snetterton in Norfolk hosts the 10th and 11th rounds on 20th/21st August and the season then concludes with the 12th and final round at Oulton Park Island Circuit on 24th September.

A prize fund totalling £12,000 will be equally divided between competitors in both the ‘FR2000’ and ‘Club’ classes with the two champions each receiving a registration for the 2005 Formula Renault UK Winter Championship.

Regulations, subject to MSA approval, are currently being finalised and are expected to be available at the end of November. “BARC and Renault have worked hard to put the building blocks in place as quickly as possible to give both drivers and teams plenty of time to plan for 2005”, said North.

2005 Formula Renault BARC Championship Calendar

Round    -     Date    -      Venue1            24th April                              Donington Park National

2&3          21st/22nd May                       Pembrey

4            11th June                               Silverstone National

5&6          25th/26th June                       Croft

7            17th July                                Thruxton

8&9          30th/31st                               Brands Hatch Indy

10&11        20th/21st August                    Snetterton

12           24th September                     Oulton Park Island

For all the latest Formula Renault BARC Championship news visit the official Renault UK Motorsport website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar