New Laguna Coupe Leads the field As Official Safety Car

MAPLE CROSS, UNITED KINGDOM – May 19, 2009: Already regarded as one of 2009’s most admired cars, Renault’s New Laguna Coupé is now receiving just as much attention on the track as it does on the road with its new role as the official Safety Car for three of Renault Sport UK’s motorsport championships.

New Laguna Coupé, which launched at the start of the year, can now be seen leading the field in the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Michelin and the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championships – both prominent support races to the British Touring Car Championship which enjoys comprehensive television coverage on ITV4.

And for the first time, the Laguna Coupé’s smooth, sleek lines can also be seen in the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship, a feeder-series to the national-level Formula Renault UK Championship.

As leading support races to the popular BTCC series, the Clio Cup and Formula Renault UK Championships are both highly regarded, visiting some of the country’s leading circuits – including Brands Hatch and Silverstone – and enjoyed by thousands of motorsport fans both at race meetings and at home. In addition to ensuring the safety of the drivers, the provision of the Safety Car allows racing to continue (where appropriate) following an on-track incident – much the same as in Formula One – helping to ensure the smooth running of each race and that strict timetables are adhered to.

Renault UK has selected the range-topping Laguna Coupé GT featuring a 205hp 2.0-litre turbo engine matched to a six-speed manual transmission. Driven by Scott Stringfellow and observer Peter Harris – the official Safety Car personnel at all BTCC events, the Coupé also benefits from Renault’s revolutionary 4Control Chassis – a four-wheel steering system developed with Renaultsport to offer improved manoeuvrability, sharpened dynamic response and unrivalled steering precision.

Simon North, Championship Manager for all three series, said: “The role of the Safety Car is extremely important in all of our championships and requires a car that can safely lead a field of more than 25 drivers and do so at high speed.”