A revised version of the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Calendar has been released, with the single-seater series set for another guest appearance on the BTCC support package. The calendar also sees the addition of Thruxton and the removal of Brands Hatch.
The 2012 season will conclude on the bill for the BTCC at Silverstone, just like it did this year, when Dino Zamparelli dramatically won the title in the final race of the season. It gives the club-level championship some more much needed exposure, with the young races to compete in front of thousands trackside and much more live on ITV4.
The new calendar has the 2012 season still starting at Snetterton in early April, but the removal of Brands Hatch means Rockingham has been brought forward to May to host the second weekend of the year. The opening two meetings will both stay at triple-headers, meaning the 2012 season will consist of 14 races.
A single-day meeting at Thruxton will take place on June 17th, followed by the annual trip north to Croft in late July. The Donington Park meeting will take place in mid-August, a change from the original calendar, which had the BARC series supporting the FIA British Truck Grand Prix at Donington in late June, like it had in 2011. Then after a seven week break, the series will conclude at Silverstone in early October.
Championship Promoter Simon North said: “It's fantastic news for everyone associated with Protyre Formula Renault BARC to have the final two rounds of the 2012 season supporting the BTCC. We're delighted to be able to confirm our position on the TOCA package for the Silverstone event once again, it's a very prestigious slot and something which will only help teams attract top young drivers.
“We're very happy to be going back to Thruxton – that's always a big favourite with the competitors and pleased we can include Donington Park as it's such a great circuit. All in all I think we've got a tremendous calendar with 14 races, two triple-headers to kick-off the season and a real blue riband finale. We're really looking forward to 2012.”
Revised Provisional 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship Calendar
Rds 1/2/3: 7th/8th April – Snetterton 200 Circuit, Norfolk
Rds 4/5/6: 19th/20th May – Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northamptonshire
Rds 7/8: 17th June – Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire
Rds 9/10: 21st/22nd July – Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire
Rds 11/12: 18th/19th August – Donington Park National Circuit, Leicestershire
Rds 13/14: 6th/7th October – Silverstone National Circuit, Northamptonshire