Renault and the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) have announced the launch of a new Championship for next season.

They will be bringing true junior single-seater racing back to Britain with the Formula Renault UK 1.6 Championship.

It will feature the tried and tested all-carbon Signatech chassis, which is raced throughout Europe in Formula Renault 1.6 classes.

The car has been designed to be the next step between karting and single seater racing aiding the progression of the up and coming racing talent in the UK.

This Championship is not just about the racing, drivers who sign-up to race in the series will be required to take part in a special fitness programme which will be monitored by the Motor Sports Association Academy coaches.

They will also receive training around dealing with the media, sponsorship procurement and presentation skills, all important for up and coming racing drivers. In addition there will be a planned break in the 18 to 20 race season which will coincide with the school exam period.

Some of the key features of the Championship will include:

• Maximum eight event season comprising 18-20 races which completely avoid exam time
• Proven all-carbon Signatech chassis which conforms to FIA Formula 3 2008 safety standards
• Championship open to drivers from 16 years of age with an upper limit of 19
• Professional organisation and co-ordination from Renaultsport and the BARC
• Strong emphasis on maintaining technical equity
• Cost-effective junior category accessible to true privateers as well as professional teams
• First rung on the extensive Renaultsport ladder of opportunity which can now see a driver potentially progress through to Formula One with Renault.

Speaking about the series, the Championship manager Simon North said: “We’re thrilled to announce the birth of the Formula Renault UK 1.6 Championship, it’s the perfect category to bridge the gap which currently exists between karting and the higher levels of junior single-seater racing, such as Formula Renault 2.0.

“Formula Renault 1.6 is an inexpensive first step for drivers coming out of karting to take and, most importantly, the car is a proven, incredibly safe, full carbon chassis. We didn’t want to see drivers as young as 16 racing to develop a brand new car, so a proven chasis with an excellent safety record was the only option for Renaultsport and the BARC.

For more information about the Formula Renault UK 1.6 Championship   visitwww.renaultsport.co.uk/championships