A dozen drivers aged between 14 and 17 sampled the car which is near identical to that used in the high-profile senior Renault UK Clio Cup which races alongside the British Touring Car Championship.

Three cars – provided by Renault Sport UK and the Finsport with WDE Motorsport and JamSport Racing teams – were at their disposal around the Blyton Race Centre circuit in Lincolnshire.

Among those on track was Jordan Collard, 17-year-old son of BTCC star Rob Collard who currently races in the Ginetta Junior category. He commented: “It’s a seriously good car – dynamic and a lot more modern than anything else out there at junior level.

“It’s quite a bit quicker too – I was two seconds up on anything I’d done around Blyton before. It’s planted around the corners and got some serious grunt out of the corners. This would be a very good step, I feel…”

Abbi Pulling, aged 14 and current leader of karting’s British Super 1 Junior KTM category, enthused: “It is just mint to drive and it’s something I’d seriously consider when looking to make the move to cars – it looks like being a really competitive category and also the cars are even.

“It’s very different to what I’m used to in a kart but I found it easy to pick up and was able to learn with every lap – the speed you take through the corners is really impressive. It’s a very good formula for the future. The cars are more technical but that helps to improve the driver. An amazing car, I’d say, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Ethan Hammerton, aged 16 and who currently leads the Junior Saloon Car Championship, said: “The car gives you a lot of confidence – it’s really grippy and the brakes are very good. The lighting on the dashboard, the paddle shift gear changes – it’s a proper, well-built racing car and a really good step up. Getting involved can lead to the senior UK Clio Cup and whoever wins it will be looking good.”

Fellow 15-year-old JSCC racer Ronan Pearson added: “Suddenly I feel like I’ve driven a real, purpose built race car. The speed of the gear changes, the power of the brakes, the sensitivity of the steering – it’s got the lot.

“The paddle shift gear change also means you don’t need a clutch – a lot of young drivers have some sort of driving simulator at home and this is similar – you only need the brake and the accelerator so are able to settle in quickly. It is something I am looking at and to be on the Clio ladder would be a great step for your career.”

UK Clio Cup Junior’s inaugural season gets under way with the first two of eight races in September. CLICK HERE for the full calendar.

The eventual Champion will win a free registration into the senior UK Clio Cup – a prize valued at around £18,000.

Second and third place will win £2000 and £1000 off registering for a Renault Sport UK category in 2018. Furthermore each race victory will be rewarded with a set of Michelin tyres for Renault Sport competition.

Registrations for the full eight-race championship and costing just £1600 + VAT are now open and can be lodged with Renault Sport UK Motorsport Manager Will Fewkes (T: +44 (0)7894 317477 / E: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!).

He said: “The feedback from the young drivers and their parents has been nothing but positive but, more than that, the instructors who were inside the cars with them were left hugely impressed by the talent they saw – consider those instructors included three past Clio Cup champions in Paul Rivett, Phil Glew and Ant Whorton-Eales who is also now starring in the BTCC.

“Each commented how well the drivers listened and improved during the course of the day and that is something very important to the Clio Cup Junior concept – providing an environment in which youngsters can really hone their skills.

“The feedback from many of the drivers is also that they are looking for a category where the cars are scrutinised professionally so that they can be sure they are competing on an equal footing and that is something that Renault Sport’s championships have always been renowned for…”

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