RACE WINNER THEODORE TO MAKE WELCOME RETURN AT OULTON

Official Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship News...

For immediate release: Wednesday, 25th May 2011

James Theodore (Telford, Shropshire) will make his long-awaited return to action in the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire this coming Saturday, 28th May, having agreed an 11th hour deal with MTech Lite.

The 19-year-old, a Motorsport Engineering student at Oxford Brookes University, has been struggling to secure the budget to continue his single-seater career since finishing third overall in the category last year.

During the last couple of weeks though, Theodore has been able to acquire enough funding to allow him to race in rounds five and six this weekend and to also contest the season finale at Silverstone in October where Formula Renault BARC will support the British Touring Car Championship.

As part of his preparations for a return to the track Theodore – who will also compete at Oulton Park in support of Cancer Research UK – was given the opportunity earlier this week to enjoy a run on the GP3 Series driver development simulator of crack-squad MW Arden.

“It’s brilliant to be back”, he commented, “We’ve been working really hard to try and get money from here and there and we’ve now managed to secure enough contributions to do this weekend at Oulton and then the final rounds at Silverstone which will be prime coverage with the BTCC.

“We’re not home and dry yet with the funds for the other two events at Croft and Thruxton but, to be honest, it’s a relief to be back out at all so I’m really looking forward to this weekend. MTech has done a very good deal for us – I can’t wait to get in the car now and see what we can do.”

Making his car racing debut in Formula Renault BARC during the finale of the 2008 season, Theodore went on to win that year’s Winter Series title for Hillspeed with three victories from four races. He remained with the team throughout 2009 and 2010, last season his best yet with three race wins, six podiums in total and five pole positions en-route to third in the championship.

His last-minute deal with MTech Lite for this weekend means the Derbyshire-based squad will field two cars for the first time in 2011, Theodore partnering current championship leader James Thorp (Evesham, Gloucestershire).

Team principal Dave Moore said: “We’re obviously really happy to have James on-board, he’s had budget issues but has managed to get a few people behind him now which is great. His experience will definitely help push us all on. James Thorp has been fantastic so far this season but we’re hoping he and James Theodore will push each other on more and help put MTech on the map.”

Qualifying for rounds five and six of the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship will take place at 09.30 this Saturday, 28th May, with the first race of the weekend set to begin at 12.05 and the second encounter scheduled to get underway at 16.15.

Along with headline sponsor Protyre, the championship is additionally supported by ELF, Michelin and NGK Spark Plugs.

ENDS

Note to editors:
Copyright free image of James Theodore attached courtesy of Jakob Ebrey Photography; more available at www.jakobebrey.com/renault

Official website www.renaultsport.co.uk/championships/formularenaultbarc/

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Formula-Renault-BARC/173881585980232

Full results and timings available at www.tsl-timing.com

Championship Media Officer:
Marc Orme
Tel: +44 (0)7920 886985
Email: marc@grovewood.co.uk

Issued by Grovewood PR, P.O. Box 1416, Beaconsfield, HP9 9AP