Renault F1 Team’s championship-winning R25 to take centre stage at Autosport International

British motor racing fans can whet their appetites for another season of exhilarating motorsport at Autosport International, NEC Birmingham on 14th/15th January 2006 and even get the chance to get up close to the Renault R25, Fernando Alonso’s championship-winning Formula One car.

During the event, which showcases the best racing cars from 2005 and also gives a glimpse of the thrills to come in 2006, Renault will be exhibiting a total of six cars to highlight its involvement in motor racing at all levels. The undoubted star of the show will be the R25 Renault F1 Team car that helped carry Alonso to victory in the 2005 FIA Formula 1 Championship and Renault to glory in the Constructors’ Championship.

Alongside R25 will be Manor Motorsport’s 2005 championship-winning Formula Renault single-seater, illustrating Renault UK’s contribution to grassroots level motor sport and the career path of would-be Formula One drivers such as 2000 Formula Renault champion Kimi Raikkonen. Current champion Oliver Jarvis, recent winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC award, will be available to guide fans around the car and discuss his hopes for emulating his Finnish predecessor.

Two of the most awesome cars to break cover in 2005 will also be on show at Autosport International. The mid-engined Mégane Trophy race car that wowed crowds at World Series by Renault events across Europe in 2005 will be on the stand, next to its roadgoing cousin, Mégane Renaultsport 225 Cup.

Meanwhile, track racers and hot hatch fans will be keen to take a look at the concept version of the New Clio Renaultsport, which previews not only the road car due in mid-2006 but also hints at the look of its race car brother which was unveiled at the Essen Motorshow, Germany last month and which will make its UK track debut in the 2007 ELF Renault Clio Cup.

Among its array of track cars, Renault will also be exhibiting a special road-going version of New Clio. Designed to capture the imagination of hot hatch fans and emphasise Clio’s sporting heritage, the black Dynamique S will feature a full aftermarket bodykit, rear spoiler, sport exhaust and 16” alloy wheels and is sure to appeal to modified car fans seeking an affordable modern car with a sporting look.

Throughout the show, staff from Renault’s motorsport programme will be on hand to talk to visitors about Renault’s UK Championships as well as answer questions of both a sporting and technical nature.

Renault racers in ‘100 Years of Grand Prix Racing’ exhibition

In addition to its own stand, Renault will also be showcasing its own centenary of success in Autosport International’s ‘100 Years of Grand Prix Racing’ display in the Historic Hall. Exhibit No.1 will be a 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Cup car, virtually identical to the 1906 Renault that won the very first Grand Prix – the French Grand Prix run on a 63-mile triangular road circuit east of Le Mans – and the final car in the display will be a Renault R25, similar to the vehicle which carried Fernando Alonso to Championship victory this year.