Renault’s title winners to join future stars at Autosport International

Renault will boast the largest manufacturer representation at Autosport International 2007, with ground-breaking cars featuring on three separate stands at the NEC, Birmingham from 11th to 14th January. Formula One, Renault Sport race and rally cars from the UK and Europe, plus the latest additions to the Renaultsport road car stable will all be on show to delight thousands of fans attending the world’s biggest motorsport show.

Fresh from its successful defence of both the World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Formula One titles, Fernando Alonso’s championship-winning R26 is sure to attract plenty of attention on the Renault Sport UK stand, number 6040 located in Hall 6. Alongside it will sit Comtec Motorsport’s 425bhp Formula Renault 3.5, the first British winner of the prestigious World Series by Renault.

Two new race cars will also share the limelight with their UK show debuts. The new-for-2007 Formula Renault 2.0 with updated bodykit is destined for UK race tracks this season and the inspiration for the new design can clearly be seen in Renault F1 Team’s R26. Representing saloon-car racing will be New Clio Cup, the pure racer that has taken British motorsport by storm with more than 50 confirmed orders.

Championship registration for both the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship and ELF Renault Clio Cup opened earlier this week in anticipation of a rush of entries at Autosport International.

Continuing the legacy of the world’s best-selling entry-level motorsport hatchback, New Clio Cup will also be on show at the Track and Race Cars magazine stand, which recently awarded the car its ‘Track Day Car of the Year’ title for 2006. A machine in full race livery can be seen at the ‘Karts to Cars’ exhibition on the Stars of Tomorrow stand.

A real coup for Renault Sport UK is the unveiling of the new Clio Renault Sport R3 rally car at Autosport International. The amazing 230bhp car replaces the Super 1600 Clio and is rumoured to be quicker despite its lower cost.

Renault’s track-inspired road-going creations will not be forgotten either. Emphasising the French marque’s ability to translate its motorsport expertise and technology into affordable, real-world performance cars, a special version of New Clio Renaultsport 197 will also be on the stand, complete with the latest Recaro seats and Speedline wheel options. The eagerly awaited Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 completes the road car line-up, like the Clio Renaultsport 197, sitting right beside the car that inspired its creation, Renault F1 Team’s R26.

Staff from Renault Sport UK will be on hand to talk about the road cars and racing thoroughbreds throughout the show, answering questions of both a sporting and technical nature.