Renault Sport Trophy
The Renault Sport Trophy was a one-make racing series created and managed by Renault Sport. The series has raced with the Renault Sport R.S. 01 in 2015 and 2016 as part of the Renault Sport Series (formerly World Series by Renault), but was folded after just two seasons.
 | |
| Category | One-make racing by Renault |
|---|---|
| Country | Europe |
| Inaugural season | 2015 |
| Folded | 2016 |
| Constructors | Renault Sport |
| Engine suppliers | Renault Sport |
| Tyre suppliers | Michelin |
| Last Drivers' champion | En:  Markus PalttalaEn:  Fabian SchillerPro:  Pieter SchothorstAM: Fabian Schiller |
| Last Teams' champion |  Team Marc VDS EG 0,0 |
| Official website | renault-sport.com |
Development
In 2014, Renault announced its intention to create a new one-make sports car championship. The company unveiled the racecar for the series, called Renault Sport RS 01, at the 2014 Moscow Motor Show.[1] The RS 01, developed by Renault Sport, has a Gibson Technology-tuned 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo engine supplied by Renault Sport's Japanese partner Nismo and a chassis built by Dallara.[2][3] It was announced that the championship would use a professional-gentleman drivers combination.[2] The first season was held in 2015. The second and the last season was held in 2016,[4] as a support event for 2016 European Le Mans Series.
Drivers and race format
The car is driven by a professional-gentleman driver combination. Professional drivers compete for the Elite (or PRO) class championship and gentlemen for the Prestige (or AM) class. As of 2016, the race weekend consists of one 60-minute/90-minute (plus one lap) race called "endurance", where the two drivers of each car participate, and two 25-minute races (one for the Elite-class driver and other for the Prestige-class driver). There are separate qualifying sessions for Elite and Prestige to determine the grid order in the short races, and the endurance grid order is determined by a system that uses a mix of Elite and Prestige qualifying results.[5]
Awards
As of 2016 the Renault Sport Trophy Elite-class champion is given a development programme and the chance to participate at a Nismo's Super GT test. If he is not chosen to compete in Super GT, he receives a €200,000 award. The Prestige-class driver can opt between a €140,000 award to step up into the Elite class or a LMP2 entry at the Le Mans 24 Hours.[6]
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 3.8 L (232 cu in) DOHC V6
- Gearbox: 7-speed paddle shift gearbox (must have reverse)
- Weight: 2,524 lb (1,145 kg)
- Power output: 550 hp (410 kW)
- Fuel: Elf LMS 101.6 RON Unleaded
- Fuel Capacity: 39.6 US gallons (150 litres)
- Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
- Aspiration: Twin-turbocharged
- Length: 4,710 mm (185 in)
- Width: 2,000 mm (79 in)
- Wheelbase: 2,744 mm (108 in)
- Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
Champions
| Season | Endurance Champion | Elite/Pro Champion | Prestige/Am Champion | Team Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 |  Dario Capitanio David Fumanelli |
 Andrea Pizzitola |
Dario Capitanio |
Oregon Team |
| 2016 | Markus Palttala Fabian Schiller |
Pieter Schothorst |
Fabian Schiller |
Team Marc VDS EG 0,0 |
See also
References
- "Revealed: meet race car Renault Sport R.S. 01, unveiled at the Moscow International Automobile Salon". Renault Live blog. Renault. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- Madden, Luke (27 August 2014). "Renault reveals Renaultsport R.S. 01 racer in official pics". AutoExpress. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- Moss, Darren (18 June 2014). "Renault previews new Renaultsport Trophy racer - latest picture". Autocar. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- Elizade, Pablo (17 October 2016). "Renault cancels Renault Sport Trophy after two seasons". motorsport.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- "Inside Renault Sport Trophy #1". Renault Sport Series. Renault Sport. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- "The Renault Sport Trophy Year Two". Renault Sport Series. Renault Sport. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.