Formula Renault UK is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost junior single-seater categories, launching the careers of current Ferrari F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen, current McLaren F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, former Williams F1 driver Antonio Pizzonia and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Guy Smith.

While other manufacturers have come and gone, Renault Sport UK has maintained its position over the last 30 years with superb technical backing, a professional and dedicated media service and the most experienced team in UK motorsport working behind the scenes.

New for 2005, Formula Renault BARC is an ideal entry-level category into top level single-seater racing and requiring approximately half the budget needed to race in its TOCA Tour supporting stable-mate, the series is very cost-effective for young aspiring drivers.

Last year, almost seven million people tuned into the ITV1 coverage of Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup – an unprecedented increase of around three million armchair enthusiasts – and with the confirmation of Renault’s increased airtime share in 2005, hopes are high of even bigger audience numbers this year.

The new 2005 contract also confirms Renault UK’s impressive position in relation to its rivals on the support-package of the British Touring Car Championship, with only a 65 per cent portion of airtime remaining to share between three other series.

In addition to the largest raceday crowds in the UK as part of the support package to the British Touring Car Championship, the Championship also links up with the British round of the World Series by Renault at Donington Park. In 2006 this event drew a crowd of more than 100,000 fans during the course of the weekend.

The live coverage will also be beamed to an additional 25 countries, meaning Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup has a potential, pan-European live audience of over 45 million people!

An average season budget according to Renault Sport UK is between £100,000 and £130,000, inclusive of all races and testing, although this can be significantly reduced depending on the number of new tyres used.

BARC Formula Renault Championship

Formula Renault BARC is the perfect entry-level category into top level single-seater racing, requiring approximately half the budget needed to race in its British Touring Car Championship supporting stable-mate Formula Renault UK. The 2006 Championship proved the link between the two series as the Champion, Richard Singleton, and Vice-Champion, Jordan Oakes, raced in the final two rounds of Formula Renault UK at Silverstone. Both finished comfortably in the top 15 with four other drivers also making the step up.

Formula Renault BARC is very cost-effective for young aspiring drivers with a budget to run with a competent team in the FR2000 Class starting as low as £40,000 according to Renault Sport UK, again depending upon the testing programme and the use of new tyres, this can be reduced significantly.

The low-cost series, which uses identical chassis to the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship, enjoyed a hugely successful second season under Renault's guidance and is expected to grow stronger in 2007/2008.

To discuss your best options for either the UK or BARC Championships contact john@vitulli-racing.com to arrange a meeting.

Race Centre

The Renault Race Centre is in the exclusive paddock club at every round of the 2006 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin, for drivers and their guests. Throughout each race weekend, the centre is the hub of all Renault activity with cooked breakfasts and hot and cold lunches served at meal times.

Other refreshments are also provided all day on the Saturday and Sunday of each meeting for drivers, teams and invited guests.

While acting as a key meeting place for all those involved within the Championship, it is also the best place for drivers, teams and also sponsors to meet the Renault Sport UK team.

Television

Renault Championships receive 2006 airtime boost on ITV1

Terrestrial television coverage on ITV1 of the 2006 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin and ELF Renault Clio Cup will have a welcome hike in airtime of at least 10 per cent, thanks to a new agreement with Granada Sport. Together, the two high-profile Renault UK championships are to receive an excellent 35 per cent share of available airtime through ITV1's Motorsport UK magazine programme.

Last year, almost seven million people tuned into the ITV1 coverage of Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup – an unprecedented increase of around three million armchair enthusiasts – and with the confirmation of Renault's increased airtime share in 2006, hopes are high of even bigger audience numbers this year. The new 2006 contract also confirms Renault UK's impressive position in relation to its rivals on the support-package of the British Touring Car Championship, with only a 65 per cent portion of airtime remaining to share between three other series.

Porsche Carerra Cup will also receive an equal 35 per cent share of the broadcast time available on Motorsport UK , meaning Formula Renault UK and the ELF Renault Clio Cup will receive a significantly larger chunk of airtime than respective chief rival categories Formula BMW and the SEAT Cupra Championship. Diana Binks will once again anchor the coverage throughout 2006 with commentary by the highly respected Ben Edwards.

Speaking on the agreement with ITV1, Renault UK 's Motorsport Manager Tim Jackson said: “We're delighted with our new ITV1 deal and the increased airtime share of 35 per cent is a tremendous boost to both our championships. The importance of terrestrial coverage cannot be underestimated. “Motorsport UK has provided us with superb coverage over the last three seasons and we're very happy to continue our partnership with ITV1 again this season. To attract seven million viewers in 2004 was a remarkable achievement for any national motor racing series and we're confident we'll see even bigger audience increases this year.”

Millions of homes to witness live coverage on Motors TV

In addition to Renault UK 's exciting new terrestrial TV package, 2006 will also bring continued live coverage through digital satellite broadcaster Motors TV – available on channel 413 of the Sky Digital platform.

Motors TV will carry live coverage on the Sunday of each BTCC race weekend, meaning over 70 hours of dedicated live airtime through 2005. In the UK alone there are 7.5 million homes which have access to the channel.

The live coverage will also be beamed to an additional 25 countries, meaning Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup has a potential, pan-European live audience of over 45 million people!

In addition, the Paris-based broadcaster also plans to show re-runs of the BTCC support categories twice during the week following a race weekend, opening the Renault championships up to a massive potential combined audience.

Granada Sport is the sports production arm of ITV1, the UK 's biggest commercial broadcaster. Current productions include ITV's flagship Formula One coverage, the British Touring Car Championship, the Renault-supported GP2 series and Champions League and UEFA Cup football.