Mike Bushell the newly crowned Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup champion has been rewarded with a test in the Motorbase BTCC car.
It is part of the prize awarded for winning the Clio Cup series and Mike will be taking to the track at Snetterton next week.
Courtesy of official Clio Cup and BTCC tyre supplier Dunlop, the 25-year-old from Tunbridge Wells will have the opportunity to test a current specification Ford Focus touring car which will give the BTCC aspirant a real flavour of what to expect if he is able to make the leap into touring cars in 2015.
Bushell is no stranger to BTCC machinery, having made a one-off appearance in the country’s biggest motor racing championship at Knockhill in Scotland in 2013 at the wheel of a Chevrolet Cruze, and he is now counting down the days until he links up with Airwaves Racing.
Speaking about the opportunity, Mike said: “I am incredibly excited to say the least, I’ve been itching to get back behind the wheel of a touring car since the races I did at Knockhill last year and having tested the Chevrolet at Snetterton, it’s going to be interesting to see how the two cars compare.
“It’s going to be great to see how the Airwaves Racing guys work and I’m really looking forward to joining them for this test. Having had experience of a BTCC car before, it’s definitely going to help me make the most of this opportunity and hopefully I can get to grips quickly and provide some good feedback for the team. Huge thanks to Dunlop and Renault UK for such a fantastic prize.”
Renault UK Clio Cup has, of course, long been a key proving ground for the touring car stars of the future and the popular one-make championship, which this season featured the latest specification fourth generation Clio for the first time, continues to be a cornerstone of the BTCC support package.
“On behalf of Renault UK and the BARC, we’re delighted to be able to offer Mike a BTCC test with Airwaves Racing through our series tyre supplier Dunlop”, said Renault UK Clio Cup Championship Manager, Will Fewkes, “Mike has driven superbly this season and it is important the Renault UK Clio Cup prize structure aids drivers as they look to take the next step in their careers.
“Renault UK Motorsport has produced over a third of the current BTCC grid, and with the fourth generation 1.6-litre turbo-powered Clio Cup racer the closest to the BTCC it has ever been, we will continue to develop future talent and remain at the forefront of the BTCC support package.”
Pictures supplied by Jakob Ebery.