BACKGROUND

Team RSA was formed in 2007 by Rob Austin to run cars in the new Renault Clio Cup Championship.

Running from their purpose built workshop facilities in Hampshire, the Team was initially put together by Rob to gain experience in one of the most competitive and also popular series in Europe.

For 2008 the team concentrated on the Belgium Clio Cup Championship, although did take part in the World Series Event held at Silverstone in July.

During 2008 the team established a good reputation and built up enough technical experience to achieve their ultimate goal of a podium finish in the eleventh round of the Championship held at Spa Francorchamps in October. Indeed, Stefan Hodgett who was driving for the team lead the final race of the season and was unfortunate to finish in 4th position.

For 2009, Team RSA will again concentrate on both the Belgium and UK Clio Cup Championships. It is envisaged that we will run up to three cars.

RENAULT CLIO CUP

The Clio Cup Championship started in its new format using the Renault Clio 197 car in 2006 running a single championship in Germany. In 2007 the Championship expanded to the UK and other European countries and now is arguable the most popular single make saloon car Championship in Europe. National Championships take part in, amongst others, the UK, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Denmark and Switzerland. It is clearly seen as a stepping stone to Touring Cars.

The Renault Clio Cup car is a steel monocoque with bolted roll cage. The aerodynamic features include a defuser and rear spoiler. The car has a four cylinder sixteen valve two litre engine mated to a six speed sequential gearbox. The car runs of Bilstein shock absorbers with Michelin full racing slick tyres. The car has an unlaiden weight of 1,060 kg.

ROB AUSTIN – TEAM PRINCIPAL

Rob has over 20 years experience both as a single seater and saloon car racer, but also more importantly as a team owner.

Rob started racing in Formula Ford 1600 in the early 1980’s. He was consistently in the top 6 finishers in the days when there used to be 80 cars competing at a weekend. Rob then raced successfully in Formula Ford 2000 before ‘semi retiring’ to set up Startline Racing Services, who again had a close affiliation with Renault UK. In 1994 Startline Racing Services won the Formula Renault Championship with Ricky Flynn driving an Orion Formula Renault Chassis.

In 1995 they finished third in the Championship with Edward Horner, who went on to become a multiple Championship Winner. In 1996 and 1997 they ran Alex Yoong who become a Minardi Forumla One driver in 2002, as well as triple world touring car champion, Andy Priaulx.

In 2004 Rob returned to the circuits racing in the Mini Challenge, finishing runner up in the 2005 Championship and tenth overall in the World Final. In 2007 he competed in the Seat Cupra Championship and this year has competed on occasions for Team RSA in the Belgium Renault Clio Championship.

CHRIS DEAR – CHIEF ENGINEER

Chris’ background is from the wheel alignment industry, although also a very successful racer in his own right, having won the British MG Series in recent years. Chris continues to race in Europe from time to time.

Chris is responsible for all technical aspects of the Clio Cup Car and works with the drivers on set up and strategy. Chris also takes responsibility for data acquisition as well as team logistics.

JASON COX – SENIOR MECHANIC

Jason has worked with Rob for many years, initially helping out in the Mini Challenge, but also extending his responsibility working through the Seat Cupra Championship and this year as number one mechanic on the Clio Cup Car.

Jason has also recently passed his technician examinations with Lexus.

BELGIUM CLIO CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

Following a very successful first season in 2008 where over 30 competitors (from nine countries) raced, the Championship is going from strength to strength. Races are held at Spa, Zolder and the Nurburgring (all grand prix tracks). The attraction is the opportunity to race on such circuits, but also for a relatively low entry fee.

Having competed in the Championship in 2008, Team RSA are ideally placed to give their drivers the best opportunity to compete for outright honours.

An attraction of the Championship is that they run a Class for Junior and Novice drivers as well as for those over 45 years in age.

We believe the cost of competing in the Belgium Championship can be almost half of that competing in the UK Championship.

The format comprises of six meetings with double headers (12 rounds in total). In 2008 the Championship rounds were support races for high profile meetings, such as the Spa 12 hours and World Series by Renault events. The Championship often competes in front of crowds of up to 70,000 people. Further information can be obtained from www.renault-sport.be.

UNITED KINGDOM CLIO CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

Renault have been closely associated with the World famous TOCA package for many years. Supporting the British Touring Car Championship the 20 rounds series (10 events) also incorporates the British World Series by Renault event. The Championship normally attracts crowds of between 25,000 to 30,000 people. Further information can be obtained from www.renaultsport.co.uk.

DRIVER COACHING

Stefan Hodgetts, who is arguable the most experienced modern Clio Cup racer of recent times has agreed to work with all Team RSA drivers in 2009 and will coach them on a one to one basis. It is envisaged that Stefan will start his programme of coaching with drivers during the Winter of 2008.

HOSPITALITY

Team RSA can accommodate all drivers and sponsors hospitality needs and welcome the opportunity of discussing with any potential drivers or sponsors their specific requirements.

Both Championships incorporate a certain level of high quality hospitality which can be tailored to individuals requirements.

2009 ASPIRATIONS

Team RSA now have the infrastructure and experience in place to be able to compete at the highest level. We believe that any driver with title aspirations should consider the Championship over a two year period. In the majority of cases, we would encourage drivers without any Clio Cup experience to compete initially in the Belgium Championship at a fraction of the cost of competing in the UK. Whilst considering the ‘staircase route’, we would then encourage drivers to compete in the 2009 United Kingdom Winter Series with a view to graduating to the 2010 United Kingdom National Championship.

We welcome enquiries from all suitably funded drivers who may wish just to test a car over the winter months or consider a full Championship assault for 2009.

OUR SERVICE

No-one has ever doubted that motor sport is not expensive. However, Team RSA are dedicated to your success and therefore believe that you and your sponsors outlay should be seen as an investment in your future motor sport career. In turn our expertise will enable you to reach your goals and also secure the long term future of Team RSA.

For 2009 your participation in the Belgium or UK Clio Cup Championship will include the following –

• Full transportation to and from the circuit
• 1 Chief Engineer shared between 2 cars
• 1 dedicated mechanic working on your race car
• 1 junior mechanic shared between 2 cars
• Team manager to attend to your guests and sponsor’s requirements
• “1-1” driver coaching with Stefan Hodgetts
• Full race preparation to include set-up meeting by meeting gearbox and engine oil changes, new breakpads etc.
• Gearbox and differential re-build at halfway point during the season
• Where agreed 6 new tyres per meeting
• Full data acquisition access with development coach and team mate
• Race entry fee
• Race and test fuel
• 765 square feet of floor area with professional awning and flooring provided
• Light refreshments and basic hospitality arrangements within the awning space
• Full paperwork service including ferry bookings and hotel bookings
• Labour costs for accident damage whilst at race meetings only
• Availability of Clio Cup Car for promotional work
• All workshop costs and transportation insurance.

What is not included –

• The cost of the Clio Cup Car or annual leasing costs
• Race car insurance (see our quotation)
• Accident damage or labour costs whilst away from the circuit.

CONTACT

Please contact Team Principal, Rob Austin, to discuss your aspirations by any of the following means:

Work:	01794 367013
Mobile:	07770 236192
Fax:	01794 367813
E-Mail:	robaust@btinternet.com