Irish driver Eoin Murray today announced that he is to compete in the 2012 Clio Cup Italia and Clio Eurocup championships driving for the top Italian squad Monolite Racing. Murray successfully contested two Clio events in 2011, one at Misano in the Italian series and one at the final round of the Eurocup in Barcelona. The latter was for Monolite Racing and subsequently the team offered him a drive for 2012.
“The two Clio races last season went extremely well but I still have very limited mileage in these Clio’s and have a lot to learn in terms of fully understanding the car. We had planned on a winter test program but due to bad weather in Italy it was not possible. The Italian series will change from Michelin to Dunlop tyres so in a way this will help me as most drivers and teams have something new to deal with!”
Round one of the Italian series will start this weekend at the famous Monza Circuit with a bumper grid of 35+ cars expected. The Italian series will be 12 rounds over 6 weekends. The European series, which will commence in Spa on the weekend of the 2-3 June, will consist of eight rounds over four weekends and run as support to the Renault World series.
Eoin Murray, who is already a holder of a European Championship, previously competed in the BTCC in 2009 and had completed a deal to race in the Spanish Seat championship in 2011 but had his plans dashed when the series was cancelled in the weeks running up to the championship opener. “It is important for me to get back to a full race program this year and now I have a competitive drive in two series which covers an extensive programme of ten weekends. I am honoured Monolite Racing have selected me as their number 1 driver. Clearly they expect me to fight for both championships and I hope I can do that! I don’t have much Clio experience but I have a lot of experience in one make series and I am confident that I know what it takes to win!”
Renault Sport Clio Italia Colander
24-25 March MONZA (I)
26-27 May IMOLA (I)
21-22 July MISANO (I)
01-02 September RED BULL RING (Austria)
22-23 September VALLELUNGA (I)
06-07 October MUGELLO (I)
Renault Sport Clio Eurocup (RWS) Calendar
02-03 June SPA (Belgium)
30-01 July NURBURING (Germany)
29-30 September PAUL RICARD (France)
20-21 Oct BARCELONA (Spain) |
