11/09/2006
Record Crowds Flock To World Series by Renault Spectacular

A crowd of over 90,000 made the 2006 World Series by Renault meeting at Donington Park one of the biggest motorsport events in the UK this year. The two-day event, part of a nine-leg European tour showcasing Renault’s prestigious single-seater and saloon car Championships, drew 34,512 people on Saturday, 9th September and a further 56,734 on Sunday, 10th September for a total of 91,246. The crowd equals Donington Park’s previous record set at the British MotoGP in 2004 and is the biggest crowd for a car event ever.

Many of the spectators who came to the Derbyshire circuit were attending a motorsport event for the first time and they weren’t disappointed by the action both on and off the track. The highlight for many was the appearance of Renault F1 Team’s World Championship-winning R25, in which Fernando Alonso won the World Drivers’ title and Renault won the World Constructors’ title, French racer Jonathan Cochet at the wheel.

Also on track were races for Formula Renault 3.5 races, Eurocup Mégane Trophy races and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 races, which make up the World Series by Renault programme. Supporting them were the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship and the crowd-pleasing ELF Renault Clio Cup, which produced two enthralling races each.

In addition, fans were given plenty to enjoy off-track thanks to a packed infield at the 2.50-mile circuit. Centred around the Renault Village were Formula One simulators, a Renault exhibition stand, funfair, merchandising store and a collectors’ area showcasing more than 230 Renaults, including a 1899 Renault Type A. These cars held parades during the weekend, coinciding with a pitlane walkabout that gave fans a chance to see the racing cars up close.

Demonstrations were held by Renault’s specialist all-makes fast-fit service Renault Minute, including a Renault Minute-style pit-stop featuring basic safety and maintenance checks. The stand also gave away a satellite navigation system and a ride in the New Clio Cup race car to two lucky competition winners.

And the action wasn’t limited to ground level, with the F1 demonstrations being accompanied by an aerobatic display from Tiger Airways, using Renault-powered Stampe biplanes. Built for the French Armée de l’Air, the planes executed a series of thrilling stunts that wowed the crowds.

Throughout the weekend, fans were kept up to date with all the action via Radio Renault, a special FM station set up for the weekend. Radio Renault carried commentary on all the on-track action, as well as interviews with drivers and VIP guests to give the crowds a unique insight into the meeting.

Weekend Success

The weekend coincided with two significant events in global motorsport with successes for two former drivers. Last season’s Formula Renault 3.5 Champion Robert Kubica finished on the podium at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while 2003 Formula Renault UK Champion Lewis Hamilton was crowned GP2 Champion. Fans will be watching closely in the coming seasons to see if any of the drivers on show this weekend can follow in their illustrious wheel-tracks.

Commenting on the success of the weekend, which literally outshone last year’s rain-soaked debut event, Renault UK’s Managing Director Philippe Talou-Derible said: “I don’t know exactly how many first time race-goers and how many die-hard fanatics we had, but my guess is that a lot of people came for the first time this weekend. They took the opportunity to see some great racing and experience what the event is all about and they won’t have been disappointed by what they found.

“They maybe didn’t know what to expect but they have seen a lot of good racing and been able to get close to everything. Apart from the pitlane, fans can watch from anywhere on the track and literally touch the cars and get a feel for what motorsport is about, which is something you can’t do at a Grand Prix.

“The atmosphere at