Formula Renault BARC Championship to introduce safety car

Provision for the use of a Safety Car is being introduced into the Formula Renault BARC Championship regulations for the 2009 season. Discussions between Renault Sport UK and the British Automobile Racing Club have resulted in favour of the move, which brings the club-level championship in line with the national-level Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship.

It is hoped the move will lead to less interruption of races, in cases where a red flag has been necessary in the past. Although a majority of races in the 2008 season ran without interruption, and two that were shortened were held in snowstorms at Brands Hatch, organisers hope that relatively minor incidents can be dealt with under Safety Car conditions.

The introduction of a Safety Car procedure adds to the educational element of the low-cost Formula Renault BARC Championship. Already, drivers are able to race in Formula Renault 2.0 cars with identical chassis to those used in the Formula Renault UK Championship. The BARC championship also provides drivers, many of whom graduate from karting, with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with UK circuits and the effects of aerodynamics before moving up to the Formula Renault UK Championship.

Safety Car regulations in all UK registered domestic, national and international level championships have been revised by the MSA, requiring drivers to cease racing as soon as they are notified of a Safety Car period by waved yellow flags and ‘SC’ boards. Formula Renault BARC Championship drivers will be required to follow the same regulations.

Commenting on the development, Championship Manager Simon North said: “The Formula Renault BARC Championship has always been intended as a learning formula for drivers beginning a single-seater career. Giving the drivers the opportunity to experience Safety Car conditions before reaching national-level motorsport should prove a valuable tool.

“In addition, the move has the possibility of easing pressure on race day timetables due to time saved in re-forming grids after a red flag. There will still be times when the Clerk of the Course deems a red flag is necessary, but this step increases the number of options available to the Clerk when responding to an incident.”

Championship Organisers plan to incorporate a briefing on Safety Car procedure during the official Formula Renault BARC Championship test day at Rockingham on Wednesday, 29th April.