Experienced Renault Clio racer David Dickenson feels the potential is there for the Michelin Clio Cup Series to be a fixture in UK racing for a long time, as the series’ inaugural full championship campaign kicked off today (5th April) at Rockingham.
The Clio Cup Series was introduced last season as a home for the third-generation Clio cars, which have been replaced in the Renault UK Clio Cup this season by the new turbo-charged fourth-gen racers.
After a strong eight-race taster run last year, the series has swelled into a fully-fledged, twelve-round championship this year, with a number of front-running Clio Cup teams amongst the eighteen car entry for the opening rounds this weekend.
Dickenson has competed in Clio’s across Europe, including campaigning the third-gen Clio in the Clio Cup UK, Italia and Bohemia, as well as a stint in the fourth-gen car in the Eurocup Clio Championship last season.
The Irishman took a pair of pole positions during today’s qualifying, and after the session he sang the praises of the third-gen Clio and the introduction of the new series.
“Getting back in this car was like putting on a comfy old pair of shoes really!” said Dickenson. “They’re fantastic cars and it’s great this championship has been launched as there are still a lot of years left in these Clios. It’s great for guys like me who have raced in the Renault UK Clio Cup before and also the younger guys just coming through, you can really enjoy your racing here.”