Further news from the Clio Cup today as Mardi Gras Motorsport announces that they have entered another 2 cars in this years championship to add to the already registered Stephen Colbert. One of the cars will be piloted by the first female to register for the 2005 series - Amy Chambers.

Full story from Renaultsport UK

CLIO CUP WELCOMES FIRST FEMALE COMPETITOR OF THE SEASON

Amy Chambers (Pershore, Worcestershire), wife of experienced racing driver and team boss Peter, is to make her ELF Renault Clio Cup debut this season in a deal with front-running outfit Mardi Gras Motorsport.

The 37-year old, a mother of three and Landscape Designer by day, has only ever contested a handful of races, including an outing in the AVO Ginetta Championship last year. Now, she hopes to establish herself in the highly competitive ELF Renault Clio Cup with the help of her husband, Silverstone-based Mardi Gras and backing from her prime sponsor Aggregate Industries.

Speaking ahead of her first ever Clio Cup test, which will take place at Snetterton in Norfolk next Wednesday (23rd March), Amy commented: “I’ve got a massive learning curve ahead of me and not a lot of time at all before the start of the season. Plus, I’m up against a field of accomplished, very talented drivers which is a huge challenge.

“I’m totally focused though and I can’t wait to get out in the car for the first time at Snetterton next week. It’s a very exciting prospect and I’m looking forward to a very enjoyable year in the ELF Renault Clio Cup.”

Amy will be the first woman to compete in the Clio Cup since Natalie Barratt raced at Silverstone last year and, along with her links to motorsport through Peter Chambers Motor Racing, she also has ties through her father and two brothers who currently compete in the Formula Jedi series.

Her appearance in the Clio Cup continues Renault Sport UK’s strong tradition of attracting female racing drivers to its championships. Along with the likes of Barratt and Jo Kraemer in Clios itself, the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin has also boasted a healthy female presence through the likes of current British Formula 3 competitor Susie Stoddart, Katherine Legge and Pippa Mann.

Mussi returns with Mardi Gras this season:

Fulvio Mussi (Colchester, Essex), meanwhile, has announced his return to the ELF Renault Clio Cup having agreed terms to remain with Mardi Gras Motorsport for his second full season in the series.

The 19-year old, who started out in karting before graduating to single-seaters and then moving into saloon cars, finished 14th overall in the driver standings during his first season of Clio Cup racing but is confident of a top five finish in 2005.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be returning to the Clio Cup with Mardi Gras”, said a delighted Mussi. “I thoroughly enjoyed last season and Mardi Gras was definitely the team I wanted to run with this year. I know its a great team, Paul (Hetherington) is a great boss and I’m confident it’ll be a good year for us.

“I want podiums this season and my aim is to finish in the top five of the championship before going for the title next year. I think it’s a realistic aim and although there will be some very tough competition out there this season, I’m confident of achieving some good results.”

The deals with Chambers and Mussi see Mardi Gras running a three-car team in this year’s series, the pair partnering Northern Irishman Stephen Colbert (Northampton) in the leading squad.

Colbert, who previously competed in Formula 3 and the SEAT Cupra Championship, is expected to be a front-runner in the Clio Cup and Mardi Gras team boss Paul Hetherington is delighted to now have a trio of cars on the grid.

He commented: “We’re very happy indeed to have sewn up the three deals and I’m highly confident Stephen will get to grips with the car very quickly and become a true front-runner. Fulvio obviously has a year’s experience behind him now and is chomping at the bit to get stuck into the season so it all bodes well for us.

“The agreement with Amy and Peter has come together very rapidly and it’s great news for us to have a female driver back in the Clio Cup. From having no firm deals just over a week ago we now have three cars on the grid, so we’re absolutely delighted and looking forward to the year ahead.”

In further news, it should be noted Mark Hunt (Broughton Astley, Leicestershire) will run under the banner of Team Pyro during the 2005 season and not SpeedEquipe as previously stated.

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