Front-running Renault UK Clio Cup outfit JHR Developments have announced their intentions to run a four car team in the club-level Michelin Clio Cup Series from 2014.
The Derbyshire-based outfit, who currently run Josh Cook and Lee Pattison in the BTCC-supporting Clio Cup alongside entries in the Ginetta Junior Championship and Ginetta GT Supercup, are one of a number of established Clio outfits showing their support for the category.
With the BTCC-supporting Clio Cup introducing the new fourth-generation Clio next season, many of the current third-generation machines are expected to join the Clio Cup Series next season, when the series becomes a fully-fledged championship.
“With how popular the current Clio has been on the TOCA package over the years, and how good that car is, the Clio Series will outperform any other club championship out there in my opinion,” said JHR team principal Steven Hunter. “We’ve already got two drivers who want to do it with us and we’re looking at running four cars in the Series next year.
“We’ve spoken to as many as eight drivers already with serious interest, there are so many people out there in other club categories who have wanted to race in Clios and now they’re going to be able to afford to do it in a full championship. The interest out there is astronomical, I genuinely can’t think of any other category at the same level which will be able to compete.”
Current Renault UK Clio Cup teams Scuderia Vittoria and 20 Ten Racing, who already field drivers in the Clio Cup Series, have confirmed their continued support of the category, while Finesse Motorsport and Team Pyro are joining JHR Developments in looking to enter cars next season.
