The details have been announced for the 2012 Megane Trophy, with the Renault series introducing new more powerful engines and an endurance series for the new campaign.
The Megane Trophy, which was created in 2005, will use cars with new 400bhp powerplants, Renault Sport Technologies adding 40bhp on previous models.
The Eurocup series will once again run as part of the World Series by Renaut, meaning there will be seven meetings in 2012, running from May to October. Prize money for the season stands at over €182,000, with the series winner to also be rewarded with a day's testing with Nissan Motorsport International (Nismo).
The series is also branching out into endurance racing with the Megane Trophy Endurance Challenge. Teams can attach an endurance kit to the cars, consisting of a 100-litre tank and central-locking nut wheels.
The challenge comprises three events: the Gulf 12 Hours, held in Abu Dhabi; the Nürburgring Nordschleife Endurance Meeting and the 6 Hours of Vallelunga. Teams will consist of three drivers per car, with teams receiving technical support from Renault Sport Technologies and its partners at all three events.
Provisional 2012 Eurocup Megane Trophy calendar:
– 5-6 May: Motorland Aragon, Spain
– 2-3 June: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
– 30 June-1 July: the Nürburgring, Germany
– 14-15 July: Moscow Raceway, Russia*
– 15-16 September: Hungaroring, Hungary
– 29-30 September: Paul Ricard HTTT, France
– 20-21 October: Barcelona, Spain
*Pending approval by the FIA