THOUSANDS FLOCK TO SILVERSTONE FOR WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT

Free motorsport from Renault

A staggering 125,000 people flocked to the new Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on 18^th/19^th September, 2010, to enjoy a thrilling weekend of free motorsport action as the World Series by Renault Festival returned to the famous venue.

Motorsport fans from across the country passed through Silverstone’s gates for the two-day event, including 75,000 on Sunday alone, firmly placing World Series by Renault as the UK’s second largest motorsport meeting behind the British Grand Prix.

WSR, making its third visit to the Northamptonshire circuit, treated visitors to some of the best international and national racing plus high-speed, tyre-smoking demonstrations from the Renault F1 Team’s Grand Prix car and team driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio as well as a host of family entertainment and off-track activities. 

In addition, the free event gave open paddock access to the fans, including a pit lane walkabout, enabling them to get up close to the teams and drivers competing on the 3.67-mile circuit.

Family fun…

In between the action-packed racing, thousands of spectators took advantage of the free off-track entertainment. Realistic driving simulators allowed visitors to test their own skills, while the Renault F1 Team Pit Stop Challenge gave people the chance to match the five seconds it takes top Formula One teams to change a full set of tyres.

Youngsters were kept entertained with special play areas which included inflatables, dodgems and a carousel as mums and dads admired the entire Renault range of cars, vans and trucks including the award-winning Renaultsport line-up.

Hundreds of guests took test drives in Renault’s latest models on a special test track while visitors could also experience first-hand how Renault’s safety features operate in an exhilarating passenger ride.

On track, top international and national racing action filled much of the programme on Sunday with the headline Formula Renault 3.5 Series seeing wins for Jean Eric Vergne and Esteban Guerrieri. Of the British drivers racing in the one-make championship, Greg Mansell, son of 1992 World Formula One Champion Nigel, secured 10^th place.

Using cars based on the road-going Mégane Renaultsport 250, the Eurocup Mégane Trophy also thrilled crowds with fantastic wheel-to-wheel racing while in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 there was further British interest from Richard Singleton, Luciano Bacheta and Craig Reif.

The Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship and the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin each enjoyed two action-packed races over the weekend. For the national-level drivers in both series it was a rare opportunity to compete on the esteemed Silverstone Grand Prix circuit and in front of packed grandstands. Lewis Williamson took both wins in the Formula Renault UK – which boasts Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton among its former champions – while Sam Tordoff and Paul Rivett took victories in the Clio Cup.

Renault’s illustrious past...

Renault’s proud motorsport heritage was celebrated by a crowd-pleasing display from rally legend Jean Ragnotti at the wheel of his fearsome 350bhp Renault 5 Maxi Turbo, complemented by a collection of classic and competition Renaults.

Commenting on the weekend, Renault UK Managing Director, Thierry Sybord,  said: “Renault has a long and celebrated motorsport tradition of which it is extremely proud and we’ve once again been able to showcase this through the World Series by Renault celebration.

“We received our usual enormous demand for tickets this year showing that the two-day event is now clearly established in the British motoring calendar.  Our WSR festival allows people who wouldn’t normally attend motorsport events to enjoy top flight racing, get close to the race cars and see the Renault world.”