Quick and competitive saloon car racer Brett Lidsey will proudly fly the flag for Britain on the international stage next month, after being put forward by organisers of the Renault UK Clio Cup to compete in a specially arranged end-of-year grand finale featuring drivers from across the globe.Lidsey, from Northfleet in Kent, will be one of eight drivers from the UK series to take part in the ‘International Clio Cup Finals’ at Paul Ricard in France alongside competitors from the French, Italian, Spanish and Central European championships, in addition to drivers from Renault Clio Cup China.

With the top six finishers from the recently concluded 2018 Renault UK Clio Cup qualifying by right for the spectacular event over the weekend 3rd/4th November, 27-year-old Lidsey has earned his place after impressing the category’s management.

Not only will the International Clio Cup Finals mark the biggest and most high-profile race meeting yet for MRM driver Lidsey, it will also be his first visit to the world-renowned Paul Ricard circuit in southern France. As ever, Lidsey’s car will run with backing from Liftout, GHR Scaffolding Ltd, GPL Projects Ltd, Certus Security, Dornack, Taylor Made Decals and MS Motorsport.

“I’m speechless to be honest”, said the Renault UK Clio Cup front runner, “The news has been a massive surprise and I can’t thank everyone at Renault UK and the Renault UK Clio Cup enough for this fantastic opportunity. I definitely intend to make the very most of it, but I know the level of competition is going to be absolutely huge.

“Racing at Paul Ricard for the first time is going to be a lot of fun, it’s a great track so I’ll be working hard on the sim to learn it as well as I can before we get out there next month. I know the guys at MRM will give me a fantastic car as always, we’re definitely going to give it our best shot.”

While the French, Italian and Central European championships will also be contesting the final rounds of their respective domestic seasons at Paul Ricard in addition to the international race, the UK drivers will compete alongside counterparts from Spain and China in qualification races.

The top performing drivers from the various races will then go forward to compete in a qualifying session for the International Renault Clio Cup Final race itself on Sunday, 4th November, where the ultra-competitive grid will battle it out to win a Renault Megane IV R.S.

Opening free practice will take place at 11.00 (local time) on Friday, 2nd November, with session two following at 15.45 (local time). Qualifying for the UK, Spanish and Chinese competitors will begin at 09.00 (local time) on Saturday, 3rd November, with race one starting at 13.00 (local time) and race two following on Sunday, 4th November, at 11.30 (local time).

Qualification for the drivers who progress from their respective group races for the International Renault Clio Cup Final will begin at 14.00 (local time) with the big race itself beginning at 16.25 (local time). All races will be streamed live online at the Renault Sport You Tube Channel.