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Boulevard Team Racing To Debut In Single Seaters |
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Tuesday, 30 January 2007 |
One of the most well known names in British national motorsport, Boulevard Team Racing, returns to the Renault Sport UK paddock in 2007 in the Formula Renault BARC Championship. Managed by Clifford Johnson, the team indelibly linked with the ELF Renault Clio Cup will run Johnson’s grandson, Joshua Brooks (Alford, Lincs), in the entry-level single-seater category.
The Lincolnshire-based outfit has spent the past seven seasons racing in the Clio Cup, with Martin Johnson (Alford, Lincs) racking up a record number of starts in the saloon-car series. But with the team taking a sabbatical from the British Touring Car Championship support package, Brooks’ emergence on the single-seater scene ensures the team remains a welcome part of the Renault Sport UK paddock.
Commenting on the decision to switch to single-seater racing for the
first time, Clifford Johnson said: “Joshua is obviously looking to get
into Formula One and I think Formula Renault BARC is the best way to
get started on that road. We’ll monitor Joshua’s progress this season
and then we’ll evaluate at the end of the year whether to move up into
Formula Renault UK for 2008.”
Referring to the different requirements of single-seater racing
compared to the saloon-car racing in which they have been so successful
in the past, Johnson commented: “It’s going to be a big learning curve
for all of us, Joshua and the whole team. We’ve bought a brand new car,
which has our traditional yellow with red wavy livery, and we’re all
excited by the prospect of a new challenge.”
Brooks, 16, completed two years of karting in the Super One Rotax
category before entering the 2006 ELF Renault Clio Winter Cup alongside
Martin Johnson, his uncle although he was only able to start one of the
four championship rounds. Now switching his attention to the 2.0-litre,
192bhp Formula Renault 2.0 car, Brooks is aware of the challenge facing
him.
He commented: “I can’t wait to get started with testing and I’m really
looking forward to the whole season. It’s a rear-wheel drive car so
that’s something new to adjust to, although I have had some
single-seater experience at the Silverstone racing school. The team and
I both have to get used to the car but I’m hoping to get a couple of
wins this year. All racing drivers enter a championship hoping to win
it and I’m no different. I’ll be keeping my hopes up and trying to have
a good season.”
The 12-round Formula Renault BARC Championship begins on Saturday, 29th April at Donington Park National circuit.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 30 January 2007 )
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