Following a lengthy winter break, the Renault UK Clio Cup is set for lift off following the annual Media Day at Silverstone on Thursday 15th March.

Serving as the launchpad for the 2018 season, teams and drivers from both the senior and junior categories descended on the Northamptonshire venue to kick off the forthcoming campaign.

Off the back of what proved to be an enthralling record-breaking year in the UK Clio Cup, the 2018 season is set to be just as competitive with a bumper grid confirmed.

With the likes of Max Coates, Daniel Rowbottom, Paul Rivett, Mike Epps and many more set to be in the mix for the overall title, the championship is set to hit further

Will Fewkes, Renault UK Motorsport Championship Manager, said: “Year after year the level of talent in the championship keeps rising and everyone puts on a show.

“We have always prided ourselves on our technical excellence and our heritage and I am sure that will shine through this year. Being part of the incredible TOCA package, which sees huge trackside crowds and great coverage on ITV4, is a huge benefit for everyone involved.

“For 2018 we have another exciting year ahead of us with a hugely competitive grid, a new control tyre by Michelin and a revised points structure which includes the reintroduction of the dropped score format – it is once again too close to call on who could walk away as champion.

Off the back of its inaugural season in 2017, the Junior championship is set to further flourish this year too with the opening round of the season set to take place at Silverstone on March 24/25.

Champion Jack Young returns with the coveted number one adorning his car in a bid to make it back-to-back titles; however a host of youngsters will be keen to wrestle the mantel of champion away from him.

Visiting a host of circuits throughout the year, the Junior championship’s second year is likely to be another blockbuster one.

Fewkes enthused: “When we introduced the current car in 2014 we always planned to put that into the junior market, giving them a fresh option of where to race as well as a clear stepping stone to progress their career.

“The racing last year was tremendous, the opening weekend at Snetterton was a real highlight and proved to be hugely satisfying as the work that had been put in came to fruition.

“This year we have a host of new faces set to compete and I am sure they will have a great experience and hone their craft further. We are giving away one of the biggest prizes in junior motorsport and that only adds to the brilliant spectacle I am sure it will be this year.”

To view the full entry lists for both championships, plus much more, head to the Renault UK website.