KARTING FRONT-RUNNERS TO RECEIVE FORMULA RENAULT UK TESTING CHANCE IN OCTOBER

Top drivers from the Renault UK-backed Formula A, Formula ICA and Formula JICA classes of the British Karting Championships will not only be aiming for title glory in 2005 – they now have the chance to impress in a bid to secure a place on a specially-arranged Formula Renault UK test day at Croft Circuit in October.

The initiative, announced at the opening of the Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC, has been arranged by Renault Sport UK and multiple champion team Manor Motorsport with the aim of giving the cream of British karting talent an opportunity to experience a Formula Renault car for the first time.

In conjunction with leading weekly publication Motorsport News, which features all the latest news from the worlds of karting and Formula Renault UK each and every Wednesday, a yet-to-be-determined panel of experts will keep a keen eye on the 2005 karting season with great interest before deciding who will receive an invitation to the test day.

Speaking on behalf of Manor Motorsport, team manager Tony Shaw said: “We’ve been in discussion with Renault Sport UK for some time regarding the viability of doing this and it was always something we thought was a very good idea.

“To give young karters an introduction to a car as good as a Formula Renault at this stage of their careers is a fantastic opportunity and I’m certain it’ll cement the fact in their minds Formula Renault is the route to take if they seriously hope to learn the necessary skills to make it in F3 and beyond.”

An additional group of karters will also receive an invitation to attend the Croft test day, provisionally scheduled for Tuesday, 25th October, but this time with the chance of sampling a Renault Clio Cup race car instead of the single-seater. Drivers will not, however, be permitted to drive both the Formula Renault car and the Clio Cup.

Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup Championship Manager Simon North commented: “Along with Manor Motorsport we have worked hard to arrange this special test day as we see it as an essential step for talented young karters who wish to sample a racing car for the first time.

“The Formula Renault 2000 car and Renault Clio Cup racer are class leading in their respective fields and they provide an ideal proving ground for careers in single-seater and saloon car racing respectively. Every competitor in Formula A, Formula ICA and Formula JICA stands a chance of being invited to the test if they impress us enough during 2005.”

For all the latest Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin and British Championship Karting news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar.