Ciceley Motorsport to add Clio Junior programme

Ciceley Motorsport, the team behind Adam Morgan’s WIX Racing BTCC programme, has become the first outfit to announce plans to enter the new Renault UK Clio Cup Junior racing next year.

Ciceley expanded on its touring car entry this year with a three-car assault on the senior UK Clio Cup, with lead driver Max Coates currently sitting third in the championship after the most recent event at Rockingham.

Having planned to use the Clio Cup programme to aid young racers looking to move into the BTCC, Ciceley will now go a step further with a ‘multi-car entry’ into the new Junior Championship, which launches next year for drivers aged between 14-17.

Those drivers will compete in the same specification of car that is used in the main Clio Cup UK, albeit with a modified ECU to restrict top speed to 100mph and on road tyres as opposed to special racing rubber.

“It makes total sense to us and the number of enquiries we have had already about this has totally convinced us,” Morgan, who acts as team manager alongside his BTCC commitments, said. “The whole Junior car racing scene needs a fresh approach and this is exactly what Renault UK are providing. This really takes it on to the next level.

“Firstly a mass car manufacturer with a great track record in motor sport as well gives it instant credibility. Secondly there’s the UK Clio Cup race car – our engineers and drivers all rave about it and suddenly Junior drivers aged 14 to 17 will be able to get going in one of these.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone in that age bracket and we believe this championship is the perfect platform to start a young driver’s development ahead of a move into the senior UK Clio Cup and then touring cars. I wish this had been around when I was that age.”

The Junior championship will comprise of twelve points-scoring rounds at six race events that are due to be confirmed in the near future.