RENAULT SPORT RACING HONOURS IT’S 2016 CHAMPIONS
The awards ceremony for the Renault Sport Series’ was held Friday December 9 at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In the presence of Jérôme Stoll, President of Renault Sport Racing and many guests, this exceptional season came to its conclusion with the rewarding of the stars of 2016.
Renault has been a major contender in motorsport for more than 115 years. This year it opened a new chapter in its long history, emphasising more than ever competition in the centre of its strategy via Renault Sport Racing, the entity that is now based in Viry. This evening was also the occasion to draw the conclusions on the customer competition seasons in rallying and circuit racing, and to hand out the trophies to the laureates.
Clio R3T France Trophy: the triumph of Charles Martin
After dominating the season, Charles Martin received his cup from Jean-Pascal Dauce, Director of the Renault Sport Racing Customer Competition Programme. Charles Martin also picked up the Junior trophy and the Jean Ragnotti Best Performer award. The French driver was joined by fellow competitors William Pitot and Kevin van Deijne. Charlotte Dalmasso, French Rallywoman Champion, and Manu Guigou, third in the French Rally Championship, were also rewarded thanks to their exceptional performances in the Clio R3T.
Coupe de France Renault Clio Cup: Éric Trémoulet takes the title
Jean-Pascal Dauce also handed Éric Trémoulet his winner’s trophy as his rivals Jimmy and Teddy Clairet looked on, but they combined to give Team Clairet Sport the team championship. Pascal Arellano and Jeremy Sarhy were also honoured for their titles in the Gentlemen and Junior categories. After a season of hard battling, the five men will come together in the Team Clio Cup France at the 24-Hours of Dubai next month.
Renault Sport Trophy: a parade of champions
Laurens van den Acker, Directeur du Design Renault et initiateur du projet Renault Sport R.S. 01, montait ensuite sur scène pour remettre son prix à son compatriote Pieter Schothorst, sacré en PRO. Le Néerlandais faisait de même pour Fabian Schiller, titré en AM ainsi qu’en Endurance avec Markus Palttala. Grands animateurs d’une deuxième saison animée, Kevin Korjus, Fran Rueda, Miguel Ramos et Fredrik Blomstedt étaient également récompensés aux côtés du Team Marc VDS EG 0,0, lauréat chez les équipes.
Laurens van den Acker, Renault Director of Design and the creator of the Renault Sport R.S. 01 project, was next on stage to hand his countryman Pieter Schothorst his trophy for winning the PRO category. The Dutchman did likewise for AM category champion, Fabian Schiller who also won the Endurance crown with Markus Palttala. Front runners in a very competitive second season, Kevin Korjus, Fran Rueda, Miguel Ramos and Fredrik Blomstedt were also rewarded as well as winning team Team Marc VDS EG 0,0.
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: the consecration for Lando Norris
For more than 45 years, Formula Renault has revealed the biggest hopefuls of tomorrow. Following the McLaren BRDC Autosport Awards, Lando Norris was awarded the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 winner’s cup and rookie of the year title from Renault Sport Academy Director Mia Sharizman. His toughest rivals, Dorian Boccolacci, Max Defourny and newcomers Sacha Fenestraz and Will Palmer were also honoured, as was Josef Kaufmann Racing, which won the team title for the second consecutive year.
Renault Sport Racing, even stronger in 2017
Renault Sport Racing Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul concluded the award ceremony in turning to the future of the categories in 2017. The commercial success of the latest generation of the Clio Cup has enabled it to solidify its presence in many markets. Also aiming to participate in Renault’s notoriety, trophies dedicated in France, Spain and Switzerland await the Clio R3T. On the circuits, the Renault Sport R.S. 01 will now demonstrate its qualities in prestigious races around the world. Finally, the Eurocup Formula Renault will have an improved calendar where Monaco and eight other 1 tracks, as well as the Pau street circuit, will allow for detecting young champions and perhaps future members of the Renault Sport Academy