Michael Epps will be making an unexpected return to the Protyre Formula Renault Championship this weekend at Silverstone with category stalwarts SWB Motorsport.
Epps last competed in the championship in 2012, finishing thirteenth overall in the standings with his season-best finish of fourth coming around the Silverstone National circuit.
Since then, the Kiwi-Brit has competed stateside in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, however unfortunate visa issues at the start of this year’s main championship means he’s sat on the sidelines for the last six months.
That came after two wins took him to the vice-champion spot in this February’s USF2000 WinterFest pre-season series, leaving the 22 year old chomping at the bit to get back behind the wheel of a racing car.
“I haven’t been doing a lot at all since the visa problems in the States, I haven’t been in a car for six months or so since I raced in the Winterfest,” explained Epps.
“Simon [Baldry – SWB team principal] got in touch at the last minute and with the TV coverage this weekend, plus I’ve missed racing in Renault, I thought it was a great opportunity to come back and have a go.”
Epps is excited to be back for his first outing in Britain for nearly two years, particularly with the Renault’s joining the BTCC package for the weekend, and admits returning to racing full-time in his homeland is among his options for 2015.
“This is a one-off for now but a great way to get things moving again, to get the promotion going that I’m back racing.” he added,
“I’m really looking forward to being back in a British paddock again, I’ve changed a lot since I was last in Formula Renault and I learnt a lot in the States too, so it’ll be nice to try and bring some of that into play at the weekend. If I can replicate my fourth from the last time I raced here, I’ll be pretty happy.”
