Renault UK have announced that the British Touring Car Championship-supporting Renault UK Clio Cup will come to an end next year.
The championship started back in 1991 and in its 24 seasons so far has utilised four-generations of Clio Cup machinery and produced 21 different champions.
The end of the UK Clio Cup is the latest chapter in a long history of one-make Renault competition in the UK, which started back in 1974 with the formation of the Renault 5 TL Championship.
A statement from Renault UK included: “Renault UK confirms that its Clio Cup championship will hold its last season in 2019, with the final round being at Brands Hatch in October 2019.
This decision has not been taken lightly in view of the great success the championship has achieved in the UK since its launch in 1991.
“In fact its roots date back to the mid-1970s when Renault first brought its single-model saloon car racing to the UK with the R5.
Notably the UK Clio Cup has appeared alongside the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for the past 19 years: 2019 will mark their twentieth consecutive season together.
“In that time the UK Clio Cup has produced countless names who have gone on to race in the BTCC. Of those, 14 have won races in the BTCC; three have become BTCC champions.
“This timing of this decision coincides with the end of the current three-year TOCA (BTCC) contract and the last year of the current fourth generation Clio.
“Renault UK would like to thank all the fans, teams, drivers, media, the BARC and TOCA for their continued support over the last three decades.”
Only the UK series will be coming to an end, with other championships around the globe continuing to operate and a new car is being developed for 2020.
Autosport reports that a replacement championship for the British Touring Car Championship support bill will be announced at the Autosport Show in January.
The fourth-generation Clio Cup cars have a potential new home in the UK meanwhile, with the Michelin Clio Cup Series now welcoming the cars from next season onwards.