4/13/2007

Record Numbers Set For Championship Opener

Two weeks ahead of round one of the 2007 Formula Renault BARC Championship, a record number of entries have been received for the entry-level single-seater category. Championship organisers have received a total of 35 registrations, the most ever prior to the first round. The flood of entries raises the possibility of capacity grids at all 12 rounds this season – the third since Renault Sport UK took over the running of the championship.

Both the FR2000 Class featuring 2006-spec Formula Renault 2.0 cars and Club Class, which is for pre-2000 Formula Renault cars, have seen an increase in numbers as this season’s curtain-raiser at Donington Park National on Sunday, 29th April approaches. There are now 22 FR2000 entries, with three more Club Class entries bringing its total to 13. Details of original entries can be found at www.renaultsport.co.uk/latestnews/story.asp?ArticleID=1649.

Established Formula Renault UK team Mark Burdett Motorsport continues its dual championship challenge with returning French duo Denis Autier (London, W2) and Pierre Renom (London, NW6). The team also includes Ollie Hancock (Hook, Hants), brother of former Le Mans Series champion Sam Hancock. Ollie has completed two seasons of Classic Formula Ford racing, finishing as vice-champion in both 2004 and 2006.

Russell Racing has revealed three of its four drivers to be former kart racer Mark Gillibrand (Manchester) and Bahraini duo Essa Mohammed (London) and Menasheh Idafar (London), with one driver as yet unconfirmed.

After finishing fourth overall in 2006, Worswick Engineering’s Rossi (Blackburn) will be looking to add to his maiden single-seater victory from last season. Hillspeed Racing has announced its intention to run two cars in 2007, with drivers to be confirmed soon. James Littlejohn finished third overall for the team in 2006.

Additions in Club Class see JH Motorsport’s James Heffernan (London) begin his fourth season in the low-cost series, while Roberto Tirone (Amberley) joins Reon Motorsport after a partial campaign in 2006. Newcomer Fraser Smart (Kilsyth, Lanarkshire) enters as a privateer, while Dean Stoneman (Southampton) will now race for Alpine Racing after a switch from Falcon Motorsport.

The majority of those registered will be attending an exclusive test day arranged by Renault Sport UK at Brands Hatch Indy circuit on Tuesday, 17th April. The 12-round championship sees four double-header meetings and four single-race meetings, with the final round at Oulton Park Island on Saturday, 29th September.

Full list of entries, as of Friday, 13th April

1 Ian Pearson   Pearson Engineering Services  Club Class
2 David Scott   DS Motorsport     FR2000 Class
3 Chris Woodhouse  Driver      FR2000 Class
4 Ollie Hancock  Mark Burdett Motorsport   FR2000 Class
5 Rossi   Worswick Engineering   FR2000 Class
6 Robin Palmer  Falcon Motorsport    FR2000 Class
7 Dean Stoneman  Alpine Racing     FR2000 Class
8 Bill Allen   Driver      Club Class
9 Louis Hamilton-Smith Jigsaw Engineering    FR2000 Class
10 Iain Morton   Reon Motorsport    Club Class
11 Ash Davies   Driver      FR2000 Class
12 James Heffernan  JH Motorsport     Club Class
14 Joshua Brooks  Boulevard Team Racing   FR2000 Class
15 Jonathan Paddon  Reon Motorsport    Club Class
16 Bob Pearson  Pearson Engineering Services  Club Class