Emphasizing its association with motorsports in the country, Renault India today announced continued partnership with the MRF Challenge for the second year in a row. During a special event organized at the Buddh Circuit today, the company unveiled the two Renault-branded cars to compete in the 2013 MRF Challenge from October 25, 2013 to February 16, 2014. The cars will be piloted by Frenchman Arthur Pic, Parth Ghorpade from India and Harry Tincknell from Britain, well-known names in the motorsport circuit.
“Renault has a long and fruitful tradition of association with motorsports across the world and our partnership with the MRF Challenge heralded our entry into the arena in India last year,” said Marc Nassif, Managing Director, Renault India. “With the success of the MRF Challenge and its growing footprint in the motorsport circuit, Renault is glad to continue our partnership with the challenge and wishes the organizers as well as Renault’s team all the very best for this year’s races.”
The drivers chosen to drive the two Renault-branded cars in the 2013 MRF Challenge have already established their reputation as extremely talented motorsport pilots. The first of these pilots, Arthur Pic, has competed in multiple motorsport competitions, winning the Formula Renault 3.5 race in Russia in 2012, scoring seven pole positions, four fastest laps and four race wins on his way to third in the standings during the 2010 Eurocup. He also became the highest placed rookie driver at the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 as well as Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup championships in 2010 and won the 2008 Formul’Academy Euro Series with nine podium finishes from fourteen races.
Parth Ghorpade, the second driver for Renault’s team, has a growing motorsport record. He has a distinguished track record in India and abroad, including winning the 2012 Formula Pilota Asia, multiple top-10 finishes in the 2011 Renault F4 series in Europe, wining the Vice Champion title in the 2010 VW Polo Cup and achieving the title of National Karting Champion five times. He has also participated in the Formula Renault ALPS 2.0 this year, with 3 top ten finishes and a highest place of 5th position.
The third driver to drive the Renault branded car is Harry Tincknell who also comes with an illustrious motorsport record. He previously won the Formula Renault UK Winter series in 2008 and has recently continued his foray in Formula 3 with the FIA Formula 3 European Championship
Like the other teams in the challenge, Pic and Ghorpade will also be driving cars powered by the Renault Sport 2-litre engines. These 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 1998cc F4R 832 engines can produce a maximum power of 210 bhp at 6,500rpm and maximum torque of 220 Nm at 5500rpm. The result of Renault’s 35-year-long association with motorsport, these engines follow a legacy of powerful and technically advanced Formula One engines. During this time, Renault has won 11 Constructors’ titles, 209 pole positions and 160 Grand Prix wins, making the company one of the most successful engine manufacturers to compete in the sport.
“Renault’s long association with Formula One racing has seen us design and produce some of the best powertrains that demonstrate our strong commitment to quality and innovation,” said Mr. Nassif. “The 2-litre engines that will power the 2013 MRF Challenge as well as the K9 engine in the Renault Scala, Pulse, Fluence and Duster share benefits from our learnings in Formula One, ensuring performance, reliability, responsiveness and fuel efficiency both on the track and off it.”
The 2013 MRF Challenge, now in its second year, will also for the first time move outside India as it expands its footprint in the world of motorsports. The challenge will include two rounds in Bahrain from November 28 – December 21, 2013, before returning to Chennai for the final round from February 14-16, 2014.
“We are extremely pleased to continue our association with Renault India”, said Mr. Arun Mammen, Managing Director, MRF Tyres. “Renault engines power some of the biggest names in motorsport and we are thrilled to have their powertrains on our cars. We are keen to make the MRF Challenge the most competitive championship for all drivers and Renault India’s support will help us in achieving this.”, he added.