French-based specialist ORECA Magny-Cours is Renault UK’s brand new engine partner ahead of the 2005 motorsport season as the manufacturer bids for improved reliability, consistency and value for money for its competitors.
ORECA Magny-Cours, renowned for its technical excellence across motorsport at all levels, will prepare all F4R engines as used in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin, the FR2000 Class of the new Formula Renault BARC Championship and ELF Renault Clio Cup - and the move to appoint the company has been warmly welcomed by leading teams.
Tony Shaw, team manager of multiple-championship winning Manor Motorsport, commented: “It’s an excellent move and I’m very happy about it. Formula Renault UK is already a fantastic championship but the decision to link-up with ORECA only serves to strengthen its position. I’m over the moon this has been announced.”
Mark Burdett, team boss of race-winning outfit Mark Burdett Motorsport, said: “It’s a good move to appoint ORECA and will ensure everyone has reliable engines. It’s a great idea and I’m very pleased as it will prevent any issues arising. A level playing field is what the formula is all about and I’m certain this is a very important move.”
Jon Pettitt, team boss of Scorpio Motorsport, added: “If everything is uniform in a championship it’s very good and that’s what we have in Formula Renault UK. Having the best possible source of engine preparation is very good in helping keep everything under control.”
As with any major change it is necessary for quality control procedures to take place, therefore all Formula Renault UK teams are being asked to return their engines to ORECA Magny-Cours, via South Wimbledon-based R.Sport Ltd. Any engines not checked by 1st April will be ineligible to race in the UK this year.
Renault UK Motorsport Manager Tim Jackson commented: “We’re delighted to announce ORECA Magny-Cours as our new engine partner and we’re confident this will be a major plus-point for our championships. ORECA Magny-Cours is renowned on an international level and we’re very much looking forward to beginning our working relationship.”
ORECA Magny-Cours’ new partnership with Renault Sport also sees the company heavily involved in the brand new Mégane Trophy one-make race series, the car currently under development ahead of its maiden pan-European season this year.
To maintain uniformity, ORECA Magny-Cours is now the engine partner for the majority of Formula Renault categories across Europe including the FR 2.0 Eurocup and French FR 2.0 Championship.
This means any engines previously purchased on the continent will now be permitted to run in Formula Renault UK and Formula Renault BARC, as long as they have been approved by ORECA’s technicians.
For all the latest Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar
