The Renault Clio Cup Series is a one-make racing series created and managed by Alpine Racing (until 2020 known as Renault Sport). The championship was born after merging the 4 active Renault Clio national cups at that moment plus the Clio Cup Europe.
National cups
Gabriele Torelli chasing the leading drivers during the Renault Clio Cup Europe race at the Red Bull Ring in 2021
Up to 22 different renault cups have come into existence at some point: Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom for example.
This series started in 2001 as the Renault Sport Clio Cup Elf, but in 2005 the championship was cancelled due to the lack of participants.[2] It returned in 2008 as the Renault Clio Cup Belux 2008 with 6 meetings.[3]
The Renault Cup started in 1987 with the Renault 5 GT Turbo Cup organised jointly with the Netherlands.[4] The Benelux championship switch into Belgian Cup with Renault Clio 16S between 1991 and 1996. Then it was Renault Mégane Coupé 16V (1997–2000) and finally the actual Clio cup (2001–2004, and since 2008).
The series' first winner of the inaugural race for Renault 5 TLs held in Brands Hatch was Maggie Loynd in 1974. The series, was previously known as the Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup and supported the British Touring Car Championship. In 2024, Clio Cup GB returned to UK circuits under the MSV, (MSV Trackdays), banner.
The series saw subsequently these cars: Renault 5 TL (1974–1977), Renault 5 TS (1977–1985), Renault 5 GT Turbo (1985–1990), Renault Clio 16V Mark I (1991–1995), Renault Sport Spider (1996–1999), Clio Renaultsport 172 (2000–2001), Clio Renaultsport 182 (2002–2006), Clio Renaultsport 197 (2007–2009),[5] and Clio Renaultsport 200 (2010–2019).
The series' past champion winners includes Andy Priaulx, Jason Plato and Tom Onslow-Cole. Other than that, past drivers of the series that were notable outside of racing were Andrew Ridgeley of the pop group Wham! in 1985[6] and it introduced actor Rowan Atkinson to motorsport, which he raced seldom between 1984 and 1990. One of his races was documented for his one-off show, Driven Man. The car has since re-emerged for a reunion race in 2004, which he aimed to compete in, but had to be substituted by Perry McCarthy, due to illness. Atkinson bought the car following the race and was auctioned off in a Bonhams auction in 2005.
Spanish Cup
The Copa Nacional Renault is the longest running racing championship on speed circuits in Spain. The championship was released in 1969 taking advantage of the beginnings of the Jarama Circuit. It was organized for much of its history by FASA-Renault and Renault Sport Spain, while in its last decade it remained active thanks to Vline, Codony Sport and Driveland Events. Its last edition with its own national regulations was in 2020, denominating itself in its last 20 years of existence as Renault Sport Clio Cup Spain.
Other championships
Copa Clio Brasil, W Racing 2006 car2009 Renault Clio Cup in Motorland Aragón
