Former BTCC racer Matt Allison has announced a return to racing for 2015 with an entry into the Michelin Clio Cup Series.
Allison will compete in the headline Race class in a third-generation Clio racer, a car he previously raced in the 2011 Clio Cup with SV Racing. Two race wins that season at Croft secured him a top ten championship finish.
With that season and a handful of appearances in a Radical SR3 in 2013 being his only real racing exploits in recent years, Allison is looking forward to returning to the track.
“I’m a bit of a relic now – I’ve certainly got less hair than when I was in GT and touring cars!” he said.
“Seriously, I’m really looking forward to being back out there racing, this couldn’t have fitted in any better for me.
“The Michelin Clio Cup Series is perfect for my situation now, it’s a cost-effective way to go racing and with a level playing field too.”
Allison had previously competed in the Clio Cup in 2004 and 2005, with a victory in the opening round at Donington Park helping him to third in the standings in his second season, which he ended with title success in the Winter Series.
Allison Won Clio Races In 2005 And 2011. Can He Do So In 2015? – Photos: Jakob Ebrey Photography
After going on to win the GTC class of the British GT Championship in 2006, Allison completed part-campaigns in the BTCC for the following two years, taking top ten finishes in a Motorbase Seat Toledo and a Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti.
Allison has purchased a third-gen Clio from Team Pyro for the upcoming season and will compete as a privateer under the ‘Intercity Racing’ banner.
“It’s been tough being away from motorsport but when the economic downturn hit hard in 2008, it badly affected people like me who rely on corporate backing,” added the 31 year old.
“I’m looking forward to running our own car and we’ve got some good mechanics from work involved, the including an ex-Renault technician.
“I’ve got to say a big thank you to Intercity Telecoms, our main sponsor, and our other partners Alan Boswell Group, Daly Group, John Clayden Lubricants and Totally Dynamic Norfolk. We wouldn’t be racing without them.”
Allison will have his first run at the wheel of his new Clio car at the beginning of April during a general test at Rockingham, the venue for the opening rounds of the 2015 Michelin Clio Cup Series on 11th/12th April.
