Fortec Motorsport have unveiled their line-up for the 2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship, with their capacity four-car entry fielding a truly international squad.
The Daventry-based outfit will run returning Chinese racer Hongwei Cao, British karting graduate Sam MacLeod, Malaysian Weiron Tan and Hong-Kong born Wei Fung Thong.
19 year old Cao will be heading into the season as an early championship favourite, the 2008 Asian Formula Renault Champion having ended his first campaign in the UK with a maiden podium in the 2012 Winter Series.
Tan joins the series having competed in the JK Racing Asia Series last year, the 18 year old AirAsia Caterham Driver Development Programme member taking two podiums on his way to seventh in the standings.
Thong meanwhile competed in Asian Formula Renault last season, securing third overall with one win to his name. The 17 year old has also tried his hand at GT racing with outings in the Malaysian SuperSeries, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the Trofeo Maserati World Series.
MacLeod will make his car racing debut meanwhile, having competed in British and European KF2 Championship karting last year.
“We’re really pleased to have all four deals done so early, I think it’s going to be a very open season this year with so many of the experienced guys having moved on”, said Fortec team manager Steve Lynch, “It’ll be a learning year for Sam but he’s been very quick in testing and we’re confident he and Martin [Cao] will be fighting at the front for regular podiums.
“Sam’s already proving himself to be a very good driver and we’re looking for Martin to continue where he left off in the Winter Series, he’s committed to making a big push this year. We know it’ll be a whole new challenge for Tan and Thong but we’re sure they’ll both make strong progress, setting a strong base for next year and, hopefully, a future move up the ladder with Fortec.”
