Proven race winner Lorcan Hanafin (Guiseley) will again line up for the Team Pyro squad in Renault UK Clio Cup Junior in 2018 as the category expands to a 12-round calendar at six different circuits.
Lorcan’s speed in 2017’s inaugural Clio Cup Junior championship – his first attempt at car racing after competing in karts – was hugely impressive. He won three out of the eight races and started from pole position seven times (with qualifying lap records at Snetterton and Brands Hatch).
The 15-year-old, sponsored by leading motor sport insurance specialist MIS Motorsport, commented: “I learnt a huge lot in those eight races and, as a result, I’ll certainly feel a lot better prepared for the championship this time around.
“I view 2018 as a really important year for my development as a race car driver. I am learning a lot about these cars with Pyro and will definitely be looking to move up to the senior UK Clio Cup with them for 2019.”
Mark Hunt, Team Principal of Leicester based Pyro, said: “Lorcan is one of the most exciting talents I’ve seen in a long time to come out of karts straight into cars. He’s got terrific natural speed and his wins in both the final two rounds at Brands Hatch last November were, I’m sure, a sign of what’s to come…”
UK Clio Cup Junior is for drivers aged 14 to 17 competing in identical racing versions of the cars used in the senior Renault UK Clio Cup which features alongside the high profile British Touring Car Championship. The only differences – to meet junior racing regulations – are they are limited to five gears and 100mph and are fitted with high performance Michelin road tyres instead of racing ‘slicks’.
The Clio Cup Junior Champion will win a free registration into the UK Clio Cup – a prize valued at £18,000. The new season (12 rounds across six events) starts at the British Formula 1 Grand Prix venue of Silverstone on the weekend of Sat 24/Sun 25 March. CLICK HERE for the full dates.
Renault Sport’s UK Motorsport Championship Manager Will Fewkes added: “Lorcan was among a number of exciting young talents to be unearthed by the first Clio Cup Junior championship in 2017. We’re delighted he’s back I have no doubt he will be a strong contender for more race wins and the title in 2018.”
