RENAULT UK CLIO CUP 2014 SEASON REVIEW
With some of the best drivers in British Motorsport at the Renault UK Clio Cup, the season marked the 40th anniversary of the event.
The series is a championship promoted by Grovewood Sport Ltd for the third generation Clio Cup car as raced in the BTCC support package from 2007-2013.
It entered a fresh era this year with the introduction of the new fourth generation turbo-powered racer.
Mike Bushell ultimately won the coveted Renault UK Clio Cup title on a dramatic final weekend at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, along with a restored Renault 5 GT Turbo roadcar, while long-time series leader Josh Cook had to settle for the Vice-Champion position.
Their campaigns were almost polar opposites over the course of the 18 rounds. Cook was largely able to dominate for more than half the season while Bushell had to battle back from a less spectacular beginning before seizing the momentum during the series run-in.
After seven hugely successful years with the previous generation normally aspirated Renault Clio, the switch to the new turbo-powered 1.6-litre car was eagerly anticipated and the momentum soon gathered pace with more drivers and new teams joining the grid.
After the summer sojourn, Cook had some vital, memorable wins with Bushell having qualified on pole position for each encounter. With three weekends to go, Cook held a 30 point lead over Colburn, with Bushell a further 13 points adrift in third position.
Will Fewkes, Renault UK Clio Cup championship manager commented: "The first season for the fourth gen Renault Clio really was fantastic, some spectacular racing and the highest quality of action from some of the best BTCC stars of the future. Mike and Josh really did deliver an intriguing fight for the championship, all the way to the wire in the final race."
The Renault UK Clio Cup is supported by ELF, Performance Friction, WP Racing and official tyre supplier Dunlop.
Tamsin Fewkes
by: Becca Chaplin