32

Welcome 5

Born to Race 6

The Show, The Teams & The Drivers 8

Young At Heart 11

A Place On The Grid 11

Technically Advanced 12

Responsible Racing 14

Coming To A Circuit Near You 15

2017 Circuits & Dates 16

A Day At The Races 18

Fully Exposed 20

Crowd Survey 23

Championship Contacts 26

Teams Contacts 26

Contents

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It is with great pride that I welcome you to our new Renault UK Clio Cup brochure and the reason for that is simple: everything is on the up.

As we prepare for the 2017 season, let’s take a glance at 2016: our grid numbers were up; the number of different winners – drivers and teams – was up; the number of different drivers achieving podium results was up; the numbers following the championship on social media was up (considerably); the amount of live air time we received on ITV4 was up.

Once more the UK Clio Cup provided the British public with unmissable excitement and unpredictability galore.

It also, yet again, culminated in one of the most dramatic climaxes to any motor sporting championship in Britain, possibly in Europe. Our many congratulations go to Champion Ant Whorton-Eales and also his team, JamSport Racing, which tasted title success in only its second season in the championship. A truly stunning achievement…

In addition our outgoing Champion Ashley Sutton provided further proof of the UK Clio Cup’s continual ability to produce touring car racing’s top future names with a sensational debut season in the British Touring Car Championship. Again it was no coincidence that the majority of the BTCC’s top names all hail from the UK Clio Cup or a Renault Sport background.

Furthermore the UK Clio Cup’s links to the BTCC remained highly relevant in 2016 with the BMR and Ciceley Motorsport teams plus touring car driver Josh Cook all fielding squads in the championship.

Elsewhere Jonathan Adam, UK Clio Cup Champion in 2005, lifted the British GT crown for the second year in a row. Similarly Josh Files, our winner in 2013, was unstoppable in the Germany’s TCR touring car category. And at the time of writing our 2003 Formula Renault UK Champion Lewis Hamilton was still in the fight for a fourth Formula 1 world title...

It is alongside the BTCC that we will be again in 2017 – and will continue to be through to the end of 2019 at least thanks to an enviable new three-year agreement with organiser TOCA. That guarantees more of the same huge trackside crowds and live ITV4 exposure for our teams, drivers and sponsors…

We also look forward in 2017 to the return of Michelin as our official tyre supplier. It will join our other highly enthusiastic partners which includes ITV Sport and also PFC Brakes Europe, ELF Lubricants and the British Automobile Racing Club.

I invite you now to read on through our brochure and discover for yourself the buzz that has come to surround the UK Clio Cup since we introduced a new management structure two years ago and consider a place on our popular grid in 2017.

Will FewkesUK Motorsport Championship ManagerRenault Sport

Welcome

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Renault Sport’s motor racing activity in the UK has a glowing reputation for producing future greats whether it be Formula 1 World Champions Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen or the top names in touring car, sportscar and GT competition such as Jason Plato, Andy Priaulx, Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington, Ashley Sutton, Tom Onslow-Cole and Jonathan Adam…

Hamilton and Raikkonen were champions in Renault UK’s Formula Renault 2.0 single-seater category in the early 2000s; before that, in the late Nineties, Plato and Priaulx had lifted its Spider sportcar title and Button had raced for its British Formula 3 squad. Priaulx later went on to three World Touring Car titles (he is now a factory driver in the World Endurance Championship). Plato has two British Touring Car crowns to his name with an unrivalled number of race wins in the championship– they started with Renault’s own BTCC team in the late Nineties.

Adam and Onslow-Cole won the Renault UK Clio Cup in 2005 and 2006 and have gone on to great success in GT racing. Onslow-Cole won the international 24H Series in 2015; Adam was crowned British GT Champion in both 2015 and 2016.

In fact half the current BTCC grid – including most of the ‘big hitter’ names – comprises drivers with Renault UK racing backgrounds: Turkington lifted the BTCC crown in 2009 and 2014, Jordan in 2013; in 2016 Sam Tordoff and Mat Jackson came close to the title and 2015 UK Clio Cup Champion Sutton enjoyed some stunning results – including a victory – in his debut season in the championship; Aron Smith and another former Champion, Jack Goff, are proven race winners in the BTCC. Josh Cook, 2014 UK Clio Cup runner-up, can also be counted among touring car racing’s hottest young properties.

Born To Race

Jason Plato: Renault Spider Champion 1996; BTCC Champion 2001 & 2010

I have terrifically fond memories of competing in Renault UK’s championships and also for their BTCC race team. In many ways they shaped me as a professional racing driver and gave me the skills I needed to succeed in my motor sport career, both on and off the track. It’s great to see the UK Clio Cup still going strong, particularly in terms of the excellent driver talent it keeps on producing – even if that does make it even harder for someone like me to keep winning in the BTCC!

Jonathan Adam: Renault UK Clio Cup Champion 2005; British GT Champion 2015 & 2016

I’ve found I’ve been able to settle in to any car I’ve driven this past decade or any new paddock or team very quickly and undoubtedly much of that stems from having experience of the UK Clio Cup’s very professional set-up – it puts you in the right frame of mind for the future. The championship really set me on my way and I look back on my time in it with great fondness. It remains the place to be for a young driver with serious career ambitions.

Adding to Renault Sport UK’s success in producing the best touring car talent, 2013 UK Clio Cup Champion Josh Files won 2016’s ADAC TCR Germany touring car title..

Renault is a manufacturer steeped in motor sport history and glory, from Formula 1 to World Rallying to land speed records to numerous junior saloon and single-seater categories around the world – these geared towards nurturing and promoting young driver talent. Its return to F1 in 2016 has added an enviable halo effect to its motor sporting activity..

The UK Clio Cup keeps in line with the massively entertaining racing that its single-model racing championships are famed foron these shores– these date back to the mid-Seventies when Renault first introduced grids of leaning, squealing 5TLs and TSs to British motor sport. In the Eighties along came the 5GT Turbo before the inaugural Clio Cup (based on the 1.8 16v Clio) ran from 1991 to 1995. At the time it even attracted celebrities such

as pop star Andrew Ridgley of WHAM! fame and comedy actor Rowan Atkinson while 1995’s title rivals, Lee Brookes and John Bintcliffe, also went on to achieve considerable success in the BTCC.

Four years of the Spider sportscar followed before the UK Clio Cup returned in 2000 It has run every year since – the majority of those alongside the BTCC – using a variety of Clio Renault Sport models including the 172, 182, 197, 200, 200T and 220 Trophy. 2016 marked 25 years since its first race back in 1991…

All the time, behind the scenes, there has been that Renault Sport magic giving each and every one of its championships an unrivalled energy andexpertise that rubs off on their drivers, as clearly proven by the list above.

Looking to 2017, the search is again on to find the UK Clio Cup’s newest stars and to see who will join the illustrious Renault Sport hall of fame…

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Affordable budgets, a product high in quality, supreme technical expertise and pulsating on-track action in front of the biggest crowds and a captive live TV audience are always a recipe for success in motor sport and the Renault UK Clio Cup has got the lot.

All 18 of the Clio Cup’s races take place at the British Touring Car Championship’s high-profile events – meaning average trackside crowds of more than 38,000 people and, at every event, live free-to-air television coverage across the UK via the ITV4 channel.

No other motor sport ‘package’ in Britain comes even remotely close to achieving such vast levels of exposure so little wonder that the UK Clio Cup, renowned for producing top future names in the BTCC and GT/sportscar racing, is such a magnet for aspiring young drivers.

Indeed its grid in 2016 attracted drivers from a wide variety of other club and junior-level categories – all knowing that success in the UK Clio Cup represents a golden opportunity to stand out in front of huge numbers of public, the media and watching touring car teams.

Similarly the championship makes for a desirable business proposition for teams looking for a professional arena in which to invest and build for the future.

In 2016 the Renault UK Clio Cup continued the growth seen in 2015. Grid sizes averaged more than 20 cars but, significantly, the levels of competitiveness increased yet again with seven different drivers (two of them

new names) representing six different teams achieving victory across the 18 races. Add in pole positions, podium results, fastest laps and leading a race and those numbers increase further to 12 different drivers; seven different teams…

Ultimately 2016’s UK Clio Cup produced one of the most dramatic and unpredictable conclusions to a motor racing championship anywhere in Europe with Ant Whorton-Eales eventually emerging the Champion ahead of season-long rival Mike Bushell. Significantly Whorton-Eales’s success marked a first title for the JamSport squad and an end to the recent winning streak of Bushell’s team Pyro.

As ever the racing among the UK Clio Cup’s equally matched cars was carefully monitored through the use of on-board cameras and data technology to ensure the highest standards of driving.

It is little wonder that many of the top names in the modern-day BTCC have come direct from competing in the UK Clio Cup.

Josh Cook was the UK Clio Cup runner-up in 2014 and now runs his own team in the championship. He is also one of the top new names in the BTCC and his team-mate in 2016 was 2015 UK Clio Cup title-winner Ashley Sutton. Cook says: “The race craft and the technique of driving a front-wheel-drive car I learnt in the UK Clio Cup were invaluable in my transition to touring cars and two years later I can see exactly why it’s been the same for Ash and others.”

The Show, The Teams & The Drivers

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director

Once again the Renault UK Clio Cup has delivered on all fronts for our huge numbers of trackside fans and TV audiences in 2016 – a very professional set-up, hugely competitive grid, great talent and spectacular racing from a manufacturer who really understands how to put on a show. It is why we’ve had no hesitation in signing a new three-year deal with Renault Sport to keep the UK Clio Cup a part of BTCC race weekends through to the end of 2019 at least. It has produced many of the top BTCC names in the last 15 years and will I’ve no doubt continue to do so well into the future.

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• Nine race events: each includes one 30-minute qualifying two rounds (races)

• Official UK Clio Cup testing (two sessions on the Friday)

• Pre-season UK Clio Cup ‘Media Day’ event (Rockingham Friday 17 March 2017)

• Spare parts truck service on-site provided by R.Sport

• Renault Sport technical support

• Renault Sport media service (inc. web, social media, press releases, commentary)

• Open admission to Renault Race Centre (plus 3 catering passes per driver)

• 12 season VIP passes per driver (6 paddock plus 6 pit lane)

• 3 season competitor vehicle passes per driver

• Michelin race tyre-fitting service

• Control fuel delivery

• Official timekeeping / results on-line

Registering for the 2017 Renault UK Clio Cup is via Renault Sport UK’s Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes Championship (see contact details on page 26). Registration includes:

Sutton adds: “The race craft and the front-wheel-drive technique in UK Clio Cup are just two advantages. You also really learn how to work with engineers, handle pressure – believe me it is incredibly competitive – and also become media-savvy. It gives you the armoury you need to make a strong impression in your first season in touring cars.”

Top touring car squads Ciceley Motorsport (with its own outfit), BMR (Pyro) and Team HARD (JamSport) were also involved in teams on the UK Clio Cup grid in 2016 – continuing an enviable and long-running relationship between the championship and the BTCC.

JamSport Team Principal Jamie Going enthuses: “We committed full-time to the UK Clio Cup in late 2014 because we wanted to win the best single-make championship in Great Britain. We could also clearly see the business proposition it offered and we have not been disappointed. 2016 has been very good to us in terms of results on the track but off it as well with our achievements and the exposure they have attracted bringing many knock-on benefits as well. For any team looking to expand this is a fantastic championship and paddock to be associated with.”

Young At Heart

A Place On The Grid

Ant Whorton-Eales, Champion, 2016 Renault UK Clio Cup

Outside of the BTCC this is definitely the championship to win in the UK. Becoming Champion in the UK Clio Cup is an extra special feeling because of the very high levels of competition and exposure involved.

While the main Renault UK Clio Cup title is the one every driver on the grid dreams of winning, the championship also awards two more age-based trophies at the end of the season.

The Graduates Cup for those aged 23 and under and in their first full season in the latest generation UK Clio Cup race car is symbolic of how the championship has grown in popularity among younger career-minded drivers.

Meanwhile drivers aged 34 and over are eligible for the Masters Cup. It is worth pointing out that two such ‘Masters’, Paul Rivett and Lee Pattison, each had a turn at leading the championship outright in 2016 while another, Luke Kidsley, was also a podium finisher.

Points for the Graduates and Masters classes are as per the main UK Clio Cup (although bonus points for fastest laps are not counted).

Renault Sport UK’s Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes says: “Both are prestigious trophies in their own right and very much worth fighting for. Certainly they help to maintain the great blend of the youth and experience we attract to our grid.

“Recent Graduates champions have included Ashley Sutton and Max Coates while the older, more experienced drivers can prove just as racy and we feel that rewarding loyalty is always a nice touch.”

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The modern-day Renault UK Clio Cup represents the most technically-advanced race championship in history for one of the French manufacturer’s mass-produced models.

Every car is identical in performance and based on the Clio Renault Sport 220 Trophy – each is built in France using Renault Sport’s legendary motor sport know-how and fully developed for racing with a 1.6 turbocharged engine producing over 220hp.

Technical partners include Sadev and PFC Brakes Europe – both names renowned for engineering excellence. Sadev’s six-speed ‘paddleshift’ gearbox adds to the technical sophistication. All cars also run on single-specification racing tyres developed by Michelin, another company steeped in motorsport success.

For 2017 the price of the UK Clio Cup race car is 44,900 Euros. Cars can be ordered via R. Sport (see Contacts on page 26)

The UK Clio Cup car is very possibly the most reliable racing machine of any manufacturer-backed single-model championship – the engine, remarkably, is designed to last two seasons of racing without the need for a rebuild – and certainly among the safest with latest FIA-specification seats and rollcage.

Indeed in 2016 newcomers Ciceley Motorsport and Max Coates were able to achieve two pole positions, a race victory and third in the final championship standings using a car and engine that had already contested the full 2015 season.

Typically the cost for a team to put together a potential title-winning campaign for a driver ranges between £75,000 and £95,000 per season. This includes championship registration and entry fees for the season’s nine race events.

Team Pyro has won an unrivalled number of UK Clio Cup titles since entering the championship in 2006 and seen many of its drivers go on to touring car stardom. Its Team Principal Mark Hunt comments: “We have

Technically Advanced

Wayne Eason, Team Principal, WDE Motorsport

The cars are just fantastic. The reliability of them is off the scale which really counts when preparing budgets for customers, there’s no drop-off in performance and they hold their value. They are also beautifully engineered and easy to work on in terms of maintenance. It’s obvious they have been designed by a manufacturer with real know-how which is not necessarily the case in other categories…

been involved in other categories but on the technical side the UK Clio Cup really stands out. The quality of the cars is exceptional and I don’t believe any other manufacturer takes scrutineering as seriously as Renault Sport so as to ensure a level playing field across the grid.”

Finesse Motorsport was one of six teams to join the winners’ circle in 2016. Team Principal Neil Giddings says: “Renault Sport are absolutely on the ball when it comes to scrutineering and that is very re-assuring for a smaller team like ours. As we also discovered after one particularly heavy accident to our car, the technical support provided by the championship plus R. Sport’s parts supply service are second to none.”

Ciceley Team Principal Adam Morgan comments: “The UK Clio Cup still provides a very interesting technical challenge for teams and drivers without getting overly complicated or expensive.

“It means a well-prepared team with a talented driver can hit the ground running and we proved this in 2016, particularly with Max Coates whose season actually came in at under £70,000. At this level of the sport that is remarkable.”

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As the premier category to be seen in for aspiring touring car and sportscar drivers, the Renault UK Clio Cup stars only at Britain’s best circuits with all its races taking place alongside the world-famous British Touring Car Championship.

On top of live coverage on ITV4 that also means massive trackside crowds – approximately 40,000 people per event. Each circuit is also in close proximity to a major public highway and surrounded by a densely-populated catchment area, most including major cities. This geographical spread of events therefore means the UK Clio Cup along with the BTCC is able to reach the maximum number of fans possible.

Every circuit also knows the importance of hosting such high-profile events. They work hard to promote their fixtures and toensure the public receives a top quality visitor experience – this includes the best views of the action including giant screen TV feeds (showing ITV4’s live pictures) as well as open access to the teams’ paddock.

Consider, too, that admission to see the UK Clio Cup (and the BTCC) is FREE for children at every circuit. Little wonder that race events prove so popular among family audiences as well as fans new and old.

The season comprises nine fixtures. Each hoststwo races to form an 18-round calendar.

Those fixtures take place at the best circuits Britain has to offer – some legendary in sporting circles. Furthermore they are located in many different areas of the UK, meaning the spectacle lends itself to both national and localised marketing campaigns for sponsors – whether on-event or during the build-up to a race weekend.

Just like a blockbuster movie at the local cinema, watch out in 2017 for each venue’s promotional campaign to swing into action – the Renault UK Clio Cup alongside the BTCC is coming to a circuit near you!

Coming To A Circuit Near YouRenault Sport is well aware of the need to balance performance and track time for drivers while also helping to keep budgets under control.

During the season an official Renault UK Clio Cup test is held on the Friday at each of the nine high-profile race events. Teams and drivers are permitted to test away from race events although the cut-off point at a venue yet to host its rounds of the championship is 28 days.

Tyres are also restricted. Each driver is allocated two new pairs per race event for use on the front of the car with both the championship’s technicians and tyre supplier Michelin monitoring usage and working closely with each team throughout.

“We work very closely with our teams to ensure a level playing field – we have a duty to safeguard and reward those who put their faith and investment in the UK

Clio Cup as they look to build for the future,” explains Renault Sport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes.

“Allowing some testing is important for a team’s and/or driver’s development during the season, but it’s equally important to deter ‘open chequebook’ racing which history shows to be very counter-productive.”

Furthermore a number of ‘sampler days’ are held during the season to enable prospective drivers to drive the UK Clio Cup race car. Fewkes adds: “These let potential customers drive the car at circuits that are a part of our race calendar but in a controlled environment and with some expert tuition.

“The track time each driver receives is equivalent to a race distance. These sampler days prove very popular – as proven in 2016 when all three were fully booked.”

Responsible Racing

2017 Circuits & Dates

Croft

Oulton Park

Donington Park

SilverstoneRockingham

Brands Hatch

Thruxton

Snetterton

BRANDS HATCH (INDY), KENT

The hurly-burly nature of the world-famous venue’s shorter Indy lay-out, set in a natural ‘amphitheatre’ type bowl, often spells drama. There are great views, too.Access via M25 (J4), M20 & M26 (nr Dartford Crossing)

Rounds 1 & 2 Date Sat 1/Sun 2 April

DONINGTON PARK (NATIONAL), LEICS

The fast pre-war Grand Prix circuit, set in pretty rolling parkland, produces some scintillating slipstream battles. Viewing is excellent.Access via M1 (J24), M42 & A50 (nr East Midlands Airport)

Rounds 3 & 4 Date Sat 15/Sun 16 April

THRUXTON, HAMPSHIRE

Britain’s fastest race circuit makes for some hair-raising moments, particularly when the drivers try to slipstream and then out-brake one another from high speed.Access via A303 (nr Andover)

Rounds 5 & 6 Date Sat 6/Sun 7 May

OULTON PARK (ISLAND), CHESHIRE

The picturesque famous parkland circuit has fantastic views of the action and is a huge hit with fans – who camp over in their thousands – and drivers alike.Access via M6, M62, M54 and M56 motorways (nr Chester)

Rounds 7 & 8 Date Sat 20/Sun 21 May

CROFT, NORTH YORKSHIRE

A highly demanding track, Croft brings the Clio Cup (and BTCC) to the North-East of England for one of the region’s biggest sporting occasions of the year.Access via A1 (J57) or A66 (nr Darlington)

Rounds 9 & 10 Date Sat 10/Sun 11 June

SNETTERTON (300), NORFOLK

The fast but twisting Snetterton circuit enables fans in the East to enjoy the Clio Cup/BTCC thrills ‘n’ spills. It's also the longest lap on the calendar.Access via A11 (nr Norwich)

Rounds 11 & 12 Date Sat 29/Sun 30 July

ROCKINGHAM (ISSC), NORTHANTS

Based on a US-style oval – with grandstands that overlook the whole lap – this is the only anti-clockwise track on the calendar. A twisty infield section adds to the challenge.Access via A14 (nr Corby)

Rounds 13 & 14 Date Sat 26/Sun 27 Aug

SILVERSTONE (NATIONAL), NORTHANTS

The British F1 GP venue’s shorter National circuit is used. Its long wide straights can result in classic slip streaming battles, while the crowds get more laps.Access via M1 (J15a) or M40 (J10) (nr Northampton)

Rounds 15 & 16 Date Sat 16/Sun 17 Sept

BRANDS HATCH (GRAND PRIX), KENT

The legendary venue’s full-length GP circuit positivley oozes soul, charisma and history and is the ultimate track on which to hold the title-deciding season finale.Access via M25 (J4), M20 & M26 (nr Dartford Crossing)

Rounds 17 & 18 Date Sat 30 Sept/Sun 1 Oct

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1918

At every Renault UK Clio Cup fixture is the championship’s professionally-run Race Centre and with catering overseen by chefs boasting Formula 1 and Hollywood movie experience there’s little wonder it provides a real home from home for teams, drivers and guests alike.

Renault Sport’s hospitality has long been considered among the finest at any race event and with up to 200 places available the UK Clio Cup’s Race Centre is a regular hive of activity for those looking to entertain corporate guests, for invited media to interview the drivers, for networking and B2B introductions or for driver-team-sponsor deals to be brokered.

Indeed the Race Centre’s relaxed atmosphere offers the ideal backdrop for sponsors looking to host their own guests – perfect for those with bases located close to the eight different circuits the Renault UK Clio Cup visits around the country.

There is also the opportunity for VIPs to engage with the UK Clio Cup’s star drivers during fun Q&A sessions and become part of paddock tours which give guests an

exclusive insight into the workings of the teams in the championship.

Appointed to oversee matters is Williams Hospitality whose Managing Director Gareth Williams and his team havemore than 25 years’ combined experience of running race centres in Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship and even serving as chefs on location during the making of blockbuster movies such as Robin Hood, Mission Impossible and James Bond.

“Presentation, attention to detail and ensuring we serve both hot and cold dishes that are wholesome, healthy and suit diets of all tastes are major priorities for us,” says Williams. “We like to think we are one of the best in the business, particularly given the emphasis that Renault Sport has always placed on the importance of making its guests feel welcome and on retaining customer satisfaction.

“Our company has worked at motor sport’s very highest levels and for some very big names in the movie world, but the Renault UK Clio Cup is always a real favourite of

A Day At The Races

ours because of the very friendly and relaxed ambience surrounding the championship.”

PP Motorsport was one of four new teams on the UK Clio Cup grid in 2016 and it pro-actively combined the atmosphere provided by the Renault Sport Race Centre with its own distinctive brand of hospitality and marketing.

“Certainly in three or four years’ time we want to be on the British Touring Car grid as well,” explains Team Principal John Creasey.

“Key to that is attracting and maintaining the best sponsors and the UK Clio Cup paddock and Race Centre

have certainly given our partners the right environment in which to give guests a great experience and also enage with the large numbers of public coming in.

“One of them has been a senior Renault dealership, Pentagon, and together we turned a road Clio Renault Sport 220 Trophy into a replica of our race car – this has proved a huge hit in terms of profile whether in the showroom, out on the road, in the paddock or at other key events.

“It’s been a very effective and enjoyable campaign in terms of hospitality and marketing and we look forward to putting more of our exciting plans into practice in 2017.”

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Steve Rider, ITV Sport Presenter

Because of its great racing and entertainment value – and of course a very obvious relevance to the BTCC – the Renault UK Clio Cup will always be a high-profile part of ITV Sport’s coverage

Jeremy Townsend, Communications Director, Renault UK

Huge crowds, live ITV coverage, profile, hype, fantastic credibility and a real sense of a major sporting occasion… There is absolutely no other arena in which Renault UK would want the Clio Cup to appear in order to showcase its brand, technologies and driver talent and to entertain guests and it is why we have committed to a minimum further three years with the BTCC’s event organiser TOCA

In 2016 ITV Sport’s live coverage of BTCC events totalled

ITV’s BTCC coverage in 2016 was watched by

130 hours

million people17.2Wherever the Renault UK Clio Cup races its cars, drivers,

teams and sponsors are always part of a major sporting spectacle that not only pulls in the crowds but is also being beamed to almost every household in the UK as part of the British Touring Car Championship’s broadcast arrangement with ITV – by far the biggest and best in British motor sport.

ITV Sport is present at every event with an army of technicians and camera operatives who take over each venue to provide up to eight hours’ live coverage on the main race day (Sunday) on its ITV4 channel. The UK Clio Cup action is very much a part of the mix and on average it receives a 45-minute portion of that live coverage each time. This was added to in 2016 when, thanks to the scintillating action being delivered on track, ITV4 chose several times to show both UK Clio Cup races from the weekend during its live coverage which is also ‘simulcast’ on ITV4 HD.

With Steve Rider, one of British TV’s best-know sports ‘anchor men’, among the hosts of the show and the same production team behind ITV Sport’s coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Rugby World Cup, Britain’s

largest commercial television network assuredly gives each event top-class treatment.

Latest figures show that ITV’s live coverage of the BTCC’s ten events (the UK Clio Cup races at nine of them) on both ITV4 and ITV4 HD totalled 130 hours during the 2016 season. More than 17 million watched all of the broadcaster’s coverage.

In addition to ITV Sport’s live coverage the UK Clio Cup receives highlights after each event on both the ITV1 and ITV4 channels (again simulcast on their HD counterparts) in a specially-arranged show, Motorsport UK.

Fully Exposed

For the first time in 2016 the UK Clio Cup also broke on to TV in the USA with the MavTV channel broadcasting highlights of the races to around 32 million households.

In 2016, 384,500 people attended the BTCC’s ten race events, further enabling the UK Clio Cup’s stakeholders – its teams, drivers and sponsors – to engage with the huge numbers of public who flock to the nationwide tour of events.

Often it can be a dynamic colour scheme on a car that can capture the crowd’s imagination. Similarly a pro-active marketing campaign built around a brand or by working with the championship to establish a profile among media and commentators.

Ciceley Motorsport was new to the UK Clio Cup in 2016 but no stranger to motor sport – it has run one of the top teams in the BTCC for the past four years. It made the most of sponsors’ corporate colours to ensure each of its cars stood for the large trackside crowds and live ITV4 cameras.

“It doesn’t take a rocket science to see what being on the UK Clio Cup grid can do for sponsors in terms of brand awareness and recognition,” says Ciceley’s Marketing Director Norman Burgess.

“Results matter of course but so, too, does putting on a show – particularly in terms of attracting and retaining sponsor interest. Our sponsors can see first-hand the public interest in their car and therefore their

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Followers11,000+

Male Female Under 35 35 & over

Social Class

AB 40% 25% 24% 55%C1 50% 60% 55% 44%C1 7% 5% 15% 3%DR 3% 10% 6% 3%

Personal Income

Under £15,000 1% 0% 1% 0%£15,000-£19,999 3% 1% 1% 1%£20,000-£24,999 3% 3% 8% 3%£25,000-£29,999 8% 12% 13% 9%£30,000-£34,999 14% 16% 17% 17%£35,000-£44,999 22% 27% 25% 24%£45,000-£54,999 21% 18% 12% 20%£55,000-£64,999 12% 11% 11% 10%£65,000 or over 16% 12% 12% 16%

Average number of events attended

1.86 1.41 1.63 1.85

Percentage to buy merchandise

44% 33% 42% 41%

Top 5 aspects enjoyed most during the day

Racing 41% 32% 43% 35%Atmosphere 24% 17% 20% 20%Good day out 17% 9% 13% 11%Food & Drink 9% 7% 5% 8%Weather 8% 15% 9% 14%

Top 3 other sports watched on TV

Formula 1 75% 52% 69% 76%Football 21% 45% 67% 68%Rugby 29%Tennis 46%Athletics 23%Cricket 51%

Top 3 national newspapers read

Daily Mail 21% 26% 14% 28%Telegraph 9% 20%The Sun 26% 31% 7%The Times 13%Express 12% 9%

Facebook and Twitter accounts continue to grow by

40% 30% More than

people at race events384,500

Crowd Survey

Research carried out by Sports Marketing Surveys

brand before we even get on to the exposure on ITV4. The environment even allows for a tour of the grid just moments before a race, thereby enabling us to give guests the sort of ‘access all areas’ experience that is very possibly not achievable in other sports.”

The UK Clio Cup has its own dedicated PR service managed by Carl McKellar who brings with him some 20 years’ experience of working in the media –he was the British Touring Car Championship’s Media Officer for ten years and, as a journalist, has covered Formula 1 for national newspapers plus the FIA World Rally and World Rallycross championships for Red Bull.

The UK Clio Cup works closely with teams and drivers to keep the wider world fully up to speed with all the latest news and gossip via ITV’s and the circuits’ commentators, social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram), press releases to specialist, local, national, consumer and lifestyle titles and through the all-encompassing www.renaultsport.co.uk website.

In particular there has been a further rapid rise in organic social media figures for the UK Clio Cup in 2016 with its @UKClioCup Facebook and Twitter accounts growing by 40 and 30 per cent respectively in the past 12 months to 11,000 and 7000 followers. In 2016 its Facebook page’s weekly reach’ surpassed the over 125,000 mark.

Followers7000

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Renault UK Motorsport Championship ManagerWill Fewkes Renault UK Ltd, The Rivers Office Park, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Herts, WD3 9YS Tel: +44 (0) 7894 317477 Email: will.fewkes-extern@renault.co.uk

New Cars, Parts & Technical SupportJohn Millett and Denise Trigg R Sport Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 7990 520010 Email: r_sport_uk@hotmail.comWebsite: www.rsportonline.co.uk

Media OfficerCarl McKellarTel: +44 (0) 7786 138905 / +44 (0) 1327 359415 Email: carl.mckellar-extern@renault.co.uk

HospitalityWill FewkesTel: +44 (0) 7894 317477Email: will.fewkes-extern@renault.co.ukDenise TriggTel: +44 (0) 7990 520010Email: r_sport_uk@hotmail.com

Championship Contacts

Teams ContactsCiceley Motorsport / Team Principal: Adam Morgan & Team Manager: Simon Shaw Unit 7, Walmsley Court, Petre Road, Clayton le Moors, Accrington, Lancs BB5 5JQTel: +44 (0) 7980 587997ciceleymotorsport@ciceley.com

Finesse Motorsport / Team Principal: Neil GiddingsOak Lodge, Cuddle Dyke Bank, Upwell, Wisbech, Cambs PE14 9BSTel: 01945 772132 / Neil Giddings: +44 (0) 7947 350640Email: info@finesseltd.co.ukWebsite: www.finessemotorsportltd.co.uk

Finsport / Team Principal: Jay FinlayUnit 9, Wainer Close, Lincoln LN6 3RYTel: 01522 869568 / +44 (0) 7727 625601Email: jay@finsport.co.ukWebsite: www.finsport.co.uk

JamSport Racing / Team Principal: Jamie Going & Team Manager Sam Cotton 2 Lower Farm Road, Moulton Park Industrial Estate, Northampton NN3 6XF Tel: 01604 755529 / Sam Cotton: +44 (0) 7957 667467Email: racing@jam-sport.co.ukWebsite: www.jam-sport-racing.co.uk

PP Motorsport / Team Principal: John Creasey Unit 11, Clayton Road, Lincoln LN5 8RE Tel: 01522 568247 Email: info@ppmotorsport.com Website: www.ppmotorsport.com

Team Cooksport / Team Principal: Josh Cook & Team Manager: Chris CookUnit 4 Unicorn Business Park, Whitby Road, Bristol BS4 4EXTel: 0843 218 2436Email: info@cooksport.co.ukWebsite: www.cooksport.co.uk

DRM / Team Principal: Kevin Rowbottom Unit 6 Lupin Works, Worcester Road, Kidderminster, Worcs DY10 1JRTel: +44 (0) 7545 522567Email: sales@eco-motive.com Website: www.eco-motive.com

Team Pyro / Team Principal: Mark HuntUnit B2, The Rise, Moat Way Industrial Estate, Barwell, Leics LE9 8EYTel: 01455 847774Email: info@pyromotorsport.co.ukWebsite: www.pyromotorsport.co.uk

20Ten Racing / Team Principal: Simon Hunt Unit 7 Duffield Road Industrial Estate, Little Eaton, Derby DE21 5EGTel: 01333 833878 / Simon Hunt: +44 (0) 7919 075248Email: simon@20tenracing.co.ukWebsite: www.20tenracing.co.uk

WDE Motorsport / Team Principal: Wayne Eason & Team Manager: Paul RivettUnit 7 Murston Business Centre , Norman Road, Ashford , Kent TN23 7ADTel: 01233 647401 / Wayne Eason: +44 (0) 7917 646416 Paul Rivett: 07412 665385Email: info@wdemotorsport.comWebsite: www.wdemotorsport.com

Westbourne Motorsport / Team Principal: Richard ColburnBishopstone Lane, Hickstead, West Sussex BN6 9HGTel: 01444 480170Email: richard@westbournemotors.co.ukWebsite: www.westbournemotorsport.co.uk

Photo credits: © Jakob Ebrey – Printed in EC – January 2017. @UKClioCup facebook.com/UKClioCup @ClioCupUK

Calendar: 2017 Renault UK Clio CupRounds Date Circuit

1&2 Sat 1/Sun 2 April Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent

3&4 Sat 15/Sun 16 April Donington Park, Leicestershire

5&6 Sat 6/Sun 7 May Thruxton, Hampshire

7&8 Sat 20/Sun 21 May Oulton Park, Cheshire

9&10 Sat 10/Sun 11 June Croft, North Yorkshire

11&12 Sat 29/Sun 30 July Snetterton, Norfolk

13&14 Sat 26/Sun 27 August Rockingham, Northamptonshire

15&16 Sat 16/Sun 17 September Silverstone, Northamptonshire

17&18 Sat 30 Sept/Sun 1 Oct Brands Hatch (GP), Kent

Continue the Clio Cup experience at www.renaultsport.co.uk