Renault UK Clio Cup front-runner Brett Lidsey has this morning, Thursday, 14th March, confirmed he will return to the ultra-competitive championship with the MRM team – and he’s determined to make a big impact in the category’s final season.
Delighted to be returning to the British Touring Car Championship support category for its historic final season – Renault UK announced back in December the series was ending – Northfleet based Lidsey says he will be going all out to impress and is targeting podium silverware from the outset.
“It’s been a long winter, working hard to get the sponsorship together to be back on the grid, so I’m really pleased we can confirm we’re back for 2019 with MRM”, said the elated Kent driver, “We’ve definitely got unfinished business in the Clio Cup, last year we came very close to getting on the podium and had a lot of bad luck along the way. This season, podiums are the target every round.”
Importantly, the 27-year-old will enjoy fantastic continuity by remaining with Mike Ritchie’s MRM squad for a fourth straight year. Lidsey first joined the team in 2016 in the Michelin Clio Cup Race Series where he became Vice-Champion with three wins and 10 other podiums.
After graduating into the Renault UK Clio Cup the following year for selected outings, Lidsey also gained additional experience in Clio Cup Benelux where he bagged two superb race victories at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Last year, his first full season in the UK championship, Lidsey really did come into his own despite some incredible misfortune. Agonisingly close to achieving his first Renault UK Clio Cup podium, he also starred at Silverstone National Circuit on the penultimate weekend with fastest lap in each race.
The second half of the 2018 season was certainly where he began to make his presence felt, hitting back incredibly well from a luckless start to the year where an enforced retirement in round one, after being pitched into a roll at the second corner, put his bid on the back foot from the get-go.
Even so, Lidsey still managed to conclude the championship just outside the overall top 10 and as a result of his strong performances he was invited as one of just three drivers from the Renault UK Clio Cup to participate in the end-of-year International Clio Cup Finals at Paul Ricard in France. Achieving a best race result of fifth place, Lidsey impressed throughout to boost his confidence ahead of 2019.
“We definitely showed our potential last year, the first half of the season was tough with a lot of misfortune thrown our way, but we fought back well and the MRM guys did a fantastic job with my car all season”, he commented, “I can’t wait to get to work again with Mike [Ritchie] and the team and I’m confident we can mount a major push from the first round.
“Obviously, I need to say a huge thank you to all my loyal sponsors who have stayed with us for 2019, and I’m also delighted to welcome MSY Grab Hire & Mini Digger Hire onboard for the new season. Having raced in Renault championships since 2013, it’s really sad the UK Clio Cup is coming to an end but we’re definitely determined to end the final year on a proper high.”
For the coming season Lidsey will be supported by Liftout, GHR Scaffolding Ltd, GPL Projects Ltd, Certus Security, Dornack, Taylor Made Decals, MS Motorsport and new sponsor MSY Grab Hire & Mini Digger Hire.
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