An appearance on the BTCC package is the highlight of the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship released today. Drivers in the series can look forward to live television coverage and bumper crowds as the series joins the package for its final two rounds.
The last time the BARC series joined the TOCA package was back in 2006, but will do so again as it replaces the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin at the Silverstone meeting on 15th/16th October. This gives single seater fans the opportunity to watch the series alongside the Michelin Formula Renault UK races.
The BARC series will be contested over 12 rounds in 2011, with it kicking off at Donington Park on Easter weekend (23rd/24th April). Trips to MSV circuits Brands Hatch (14th/15th May) and Oulton Park (28th May) follow, before heading north to Croft (23rd/24th July). The penultimate round will be contested at Thruxton (3rd September) before the Silverstone finale.
Despite the Formula Renault UK and Renault Clio Cup changing promoters for 2011, Grovewood Sport Ltd will continue to run the BARC series. Championship Promoter Simon North commented: “We are very much looking forward to the 2011 Protyre BARC series and in particular the introduction on the BTCC meeting. The series has always been a proven feeder series to the national-level Formula Renault UK Championship but this announcement means the top BARC drivers will be able to demonstrate their talents in front of the UK teams, along with the thousands of spectators and millions more watching live on ITV.”
2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship calendar:
Rds 1&2 23/24 April Donington Park National
Rds 3&4 14/15 May Brands Hatch Indy
Rds 5&6 28 May Oulton Park Island
Rds 7&8 23/24 July Croft
Rds 9&10 3 Sept Thruxton
Rds 11&12 15/16 Oct Silverstone National (with BTCC)