4/6/2009

New title sponsorship deal for Formula Renault BARC

Protyre is to become the new title sponsor of the 2009 Formula Renault BARC Championship.

The championship, which provides the perfect place to begin for single-seater drivers wishing to progress to the higher-level Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship, will become Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship when the season begins at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit on Saturday, 23rd May.

Protyre, which is fully backed by parent company Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd – one of the UK’s biggest tyre distribution company – is the sole provider of Michelin circuit and rally tyres in the UK and Ireland, already supplying Renault’s renowned Clio Cup and Formula Renault UK Championships. In addition, Protyre also supply the Porsche Carrera Cup, Porsche Ireland, Porsche Club and Open Championship, Ginetta G50 and Ginetta Juniors as well as the BMW Racing Drivers Club Kumho Championship.

Already 19 drivers have registered for the 2009 Championship which uses identical chassis to those used in Formula Renault UK. The BARC championship also provides drivers, many of whom graduate from karting, with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with UK circuits and the effects of aerodynamics before moving up to the Formula Renault UK Championship.

This season will also see the provision for the use of a Safety Car, bringing the low-cost championship in line with the national-level Formula Renault UK Championship.

Commenting on the new sponsorship deal, Protrye Business Development Manager Simon Hiorns said: “We recognise the growth in stature of the Formula Renault BARC Championship and it is now clearly Britain’s leading junior single-seater category at club-level and felt it was important for Protyre to be associated with some of the best young racing drivers. This year we have been attracted by the single class format and the new Privateer Cup and can see that it will be a very strong championship again in 2009.”

Championship Manager Simon North commented: “Ever since we took on running the series with our friends at BARC we have wanted to bring on board a high profile title sponsor and Protyre is the perfect partner for the championship as it is already heavily involved as Michelin tyre supplier. This news is further endorsement of the position the championship enjoys at the very top of Club racing in this country.”

The first round of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship begins at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit on Saturday, 23rd May. Official pre-season takes place at Rockingham Motor Speedway on Wednesday, 29th April.