Pan-American Formula Renault V6

jondownunder · 3 Jan 2005, 18:17 (Ref:1192318)

I've been reading on italiaracing.net about a new series, Pan-American Formula Renault V6, which will give a home to the old FRV6 Eurocup cars.

Here's what I gather so far:

-series to start May 2005
-eight meetings, visiting USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica
-FRV6 will run alongside Formula Renault 2000
-FRV6 champion wins funded drive in World Series by Renault
-FR2000 champion wins funded drive/free entry (?) in Pan-American FRV6
-organisers are Antonio Ferrari, John Jakes and Renault

Not sure if any of this is official, or just proposed plan. Anyone have any more info/links? Should be an interesting series, after the failure to get a US FRV6 off the ground.

Russfeld · 3 Jan 2005, 18:44 (Ref:1192346)

from Canada to Argentina cant be cheap, even CART struggled with that kind of schedule

Martinmechanix · 3 Jan 2005, 20:27 (Ref:1192424)

it seems to be official. here some links (Renault-sport's web site)

English:
http://www.renault-sport.com/en/circ...news=7258.html

French:
http://www.renault-sport.com/fr/circ...news=7258.html

In this news you won't see the name of Antiono Ferrari but last year when the RTP (race team promotion serie...NA FR) was struggling, Antiono Ferrari was the link with the Renault Sport representatives in the hope to save the series. So I won't be supprised to see that he has a connection with the new Pan-Am series.

jondownunder · 3 Jan 2005, 20:46 (Ref:1192437)

Thanks, for some reason it didn't occur to me to check Renault's own site...

Net-Ranger · 3 Jan 2005, 20:54 (Ref:1192441)

As big as go to Argentina i don't think so, however, i think is possible that if the series go oficial, with the support of Renault Sport, possibly races at Mexico and Costa Rica are sure because the strong presence of Renault in those countrys, in fact the Corona Cup Series (Mexican Formula Renault and Clio Cup Touring car series) has a very strong support from Renault Mexico, as well they have plans this year to race in Center-America, in the Autodromo La Guacima in Costa Rica, also promoters from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama have some talk with the Corona Cup series during the Mexico City race.

As the note say John Jakes will manage the series, i guess would be batter if they chose Alfonso Toledano (Corona Cup manager), because their strong relations with Renault Sport France and Grupo Modelo (Corona brand owners), and Renault Mexico, after all, he have run succesfully the Renault series in Mexico and he is planning to expand to center-america, he's about to start the 4th season of the Mexican Formula Renault and the 3rd season of the Mexican Renault Clio Cup Touring Car series

Russfeld · 3 Jan 2005, 21:03 (Ref:1192448)

Do they ahve a webpage? ive never eben able to find any information about the Formula Renault series in Mexico

jondownunder · 3 Jan 2005, 21:49 (Ref:1192476)

Interesting, just found the FRenault results on the Renault Mexico site:

http://www.renault-sport.com.mx/

META4 · 4 Jan 2005, 08:21 (Ref:1192682)

Any idea about the Entry list
Will the Teams from Formula Renault NA will enter this new Chapionship
it seems so that GELLES RACING who received the first FR V6 in North Amercia for Exhibition decided to enter the Formula BMW and MAzda in 2005

Rob29 · 4 Jan 2005, 11:49 (Ref:1192770)

This is the 4th plan I have seen for the FRV6 cars.Previously it was the USA,then South Africa followed by Australia!

Martinmechanix · 4 Jan 2005, 14:55 (Ref:1192892)

About the entry list I think I would be a combination of North American, Central American and South American teams. Regarding the NA teams that could enter this series I only see 3 teams having the potential to attract international drivers, sponsors and equipped (willing) to do all the involved travel:

Euro International
Gelles Racing
GTI motorsports (GTI team Roshfrans)

Gelles Racing already announced they will add two FR V6 cars to their field of 2 liters cars.

http://www.gellesracing.com/news/index.htm

Mekola · 5 Jan 2005, 11:22 (Ref:1193529)

I see difficult to run Pan-American FRV6 in Argentina, mostly when Renault Argentina decided to can Formula Super Renault for 2005 (FSR uses obsolete F3 chassises, and some teams are unable to pay the expensive costs to import the Dallara 394 chassis from Brazil or Italy)...

But I have hopes to see it here at least as an exhibition race. Could be very interesting if organizers links this series pairing the next 200 Kms. of Buenos Aires of Turismo Competición 2000 (last year they did a superb race with many European drivers invited -Menu, Jordi Gené, Reid and Rydell- with the great addition of a Williams F1 exhibition by Marc Gené courtesy of Petrobras)...

FormulaReporter · 16 Jan 2005, 03:35 (Ref:1201973)

Gelles Racing joins Renault PanAm Racing bandwagon

Front Royal, Virginia, January 15, 2005. – Gelles Racing, the defending Formula Renault 2004 champion, will take part in the PanAm Racing series that will start this spring, starring open wheel series in FR2000 and the new Renault V6. Renault Sport announced today at the Birmingham Autosport International Show at the NEC in Great Britain that the series will be moving to the Americas with events taking place in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and the United States. Team owner Bob Gelles will receive three V6 cars, being the first in line for purchase and is searching for experienced drivers with available funding to fill the FR 2000 and V6 seats.

“We are extremely excited to continue in the Renault series, said team owner Bob Gelles. The past three years have seen very competitive races with international grids. Gelles Racing purchased the first FR2000 car to land in North America in 2002. Further, I am proud to have generated the greatest entries in the past three seasons competing with the FR2000 cars, it is only fitting that Gelles Racing continue in the new FRV6. Formula Renault is already staged in 14 countries and one of the most respected ladder series around the world. Formula V6 is the racing machine closest to Formula 1, a 7/8-scale representation of the pinnacle of Motorsport. Head turning quota will be very high for the V6 and spectators will appreciate every lap. As far as Gelles is concerned, we will offer the perfect ladder series: from Formula BMW USA to FR2000 and finally the Renault V6, drivers will nurse their careers all the way to the top.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Gelles GO GO GO! The true champion of Formula Renault 2004!

Russfeld · 16 Jan 2005, 04:13 (Ref:1201975)

"Formula V6 is the racing machine closest to Formula 1, a 7/8-scale representation of the pinnacle of Motorsport"

oh dear...

**bella** · 16 Jan 2005, 12:00 (Ref:1202124)

well i suppose at the moment technically he's right, since there doesn't seem to be enough gp2 cars to form a series, and superfund's series seems to be a bit quiet too...

Mackmot · 16 Jan 2005, 12:39 (Ref:1202154)

It does look like it will be a good low cost formula from all accounts. Kirkaldy was trying to talk us into doing it. Apparently each team will have a 40ft container to store the 2 cars and all their equipment in which will be transported to each race FOC. You then get a few days before and a few days after to prep your cars. Also I believe tyres are free and there is a prize of a World Series drive, all paid for by Renault.

Its also interesting that all the races are in a logical progression south. I was thinking it might be interesting to get a few young engineers together for a road trip. Probably much cheaper than flying back and forth. Only worry is, how dangerous is S America to go RV'ing through?

Mackmot · 16 Jan 2005, 12:50 (Ref:1202157)

http://www.panamv6.com/

jondownunder · 16 Jan 2005, 14:55 (Ref:1202248)

Interesting to read a former International F3000 team is interested - any ideas which? Maybe DAMS as they have already done FRV6??

According to this article and the official site these teams are set to compete/rumoured:

Team aka (2 cars)
Atlantic Racing
Eurointernational (3 cars)
Foizer
Gelles Racing (3 cars)
GTI Team Roshfrans (2 cars)
Condor Motorsports??
Richard Morgan Racing??
Former FIA F3000 team??

And if my translation is correct, is Giorgio Mondini to compete again with Eurointernational, combining PanAmV6 with doing World Series by Renault? Would be a busy schedule...

Mackmot · 17 Jan 2005, 20:41 (Ref:1203231)

The more I look at this more I want to do it. I have been talking to an American driver this year who I believe is going to be a star and I think his sponsors can be weened away from Mazda.

SO you can add Mackie Motorsport to the rumours.

Kidzer · 17 Jan 2005, 21:49 (Ref:1203286)

I would have expected Mondini to really move up, wasnt last season his 2nd of v6?

Gelles Racing · 18 Jan 2005, 03:13 (Ref:1203458)

Look for Mondini in the World Series 2005. Look forward to Mackie participating in the PanAm Championship. What driver would not rather race in PanAm than Mazda.

Mekola · 18 Jan 2005, 12:49 (Ref:1203726)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekola

Could be very interesting if organizers links this series pairing the next 200 Kms. of Buenos Aires of Turismo Competición 2000 (last year they did a superb race with many European drivers invited -Menu, Jordi Gené, Reid and Rydell- with the great addition of a Williams F1 exhibition by Marc Gené courtesy of Petrobras)...

I just saw the PanAmV6 calendar and there is projected two rounds in Argentina: One for Buenos Aires for October and other in the Alta Gracia (Cabalén) circuit at Córdoba for November. Interesting to see that the Buenos Aires round seems to be linked to the next 200 Kms. of Buenos Aires TC2000 at the end of October (joining the superb announce that SudAm F3 will join TC2000 in three Argentinian rounds)...

bradrive · 18 Jan 2005, 16:09 (Ref:1203858)

Regarding the list of rumoured teams in PanamV6:

"Foizer": Two twins racing in SudamF3. They are NOT trying to set up a team. The Brazilian team which IS interested in PanamV6 is PropCar run by Darcio do Santos (stalwart in Sudam F3 and FRenault in Brazil)
"Former FIA F3000 team": This is PKM Competicion, which is the former Lauda
race engineer in Coloni F3000 together with 2 ex-Coloni mechanics TRYING to
set up a team

Mike.ca · 19 Jan 2005, 18:45 (Ref:1204931)

From a press release posted on the Canadian magazine Inside Track's weblog:

Quote:

.....The Pan American Formula Renault Championships will be managed by Series Director Allen Berg, a former Formula 1 racer who also has experience as a team owner....
....“We are also excited about the caliber of teams that have already purchased cars and who are committed to campaigning both the 2.0 liter and V6 Championships, and about the opportunities that being a ‘container series’ will create.”
The series, which has no ties to any organization that has utilized the Formula Renault chassis in any of the Pan American markets, is a partnership between British businessman John Jakes and Renault Sport of France....
....As a developmental category, the race weekend format is designed to give the drivers not only plenty of seat time, but more importantly, extensive experience in race conditions. The 2-liter Formula Renault race weekends will feature three races-two sprint races and then a feature race. The Formula Renault V6 drivers will get two races each weekend. One race will be in the European fashion with a standing start, and the other will utilize the American method of a rolling start.
There will be eight days of testing in advance of the season, and the schedule has been designed to give drivers and teams one test day as part of each race weekend, as in-season testing is prohibited as part of the cost-containment strategy of the series.
Renault is totally dedicated to the success of drivers participating in the full ladder of Renault championships, and the prize structure demonstrates their commitment to the future. The prize structure for the Championships are designed to promote the drivers who find success and help them move up the motorsports ladder.
The winner of the Formula Renault V6 Championship will earn a test with a Formula 1 team, and will also receive a season of racing paid for by PanAmerican Racing in the World Series by Renault, which is the next step up the Renault ladder and contests the majority of its races in Europe.
The winner of the Formula Renault 2.0-liter Championship will win a season of racing in the 2006 Pan American Formula Renault V6 Championship, paid for by PanAmerican Racing.
The 2.0-liter Formula Renault cars will be run with the 2004-specification, utilizing a revised aero package and producing 192 bhp. The Formula Renault V6 cars, which produce in excess of 370 bhp, will be the same cars that were raced in Europe last season, and are currently being rebuilt by Renault Sport, with deliveries available on February 5th.
The engines are guaranteed to run 6500 km between rebuilds, and will be €75,000 for a pre-raced version, or €150,000 for a new-build. The series is intended to provide value to the drivers and teams participating, and cost-containment is a central goal of the Championships.
In addition to the ban on in-season testing, the goal of cost-containment will also be addressed by the series being operated as a “container series,” meaning that Series organizers will manage the logistics of transporting the cars from race to race.
This will allow a new generation of team owners to participate, as it precludes the need for significant capital investment in many of the elements (such as transporters or a shop) which were traditionally required to operate a race team.The budget for a 2.0-liter program is believed to be $225,000, with a full season of Formula Renault V6 requiring $550,000. The full season schedule is currently being finalized, and the series is expected to make additional announcements in the coming weeks....

Mike.ca · 19 Jan 2005, 18:49 (Ref:1204938)

1 10-12 June Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal, Canada
2 17-19 June Mosport Toronto, Canada
3 & 4 1-3 July Barber Birmingham, AL
5 & 6 5-7 Aug Trois Rivieres Canada
7 & 8 Aug Mexico City Mexico
9 & 10 22-25 Sept San Jose Costa Rica
11 & 12 Oct Curitiba Brazil
13 & 14 Oct Buenas Aires Argentina
15 & 16 Nov Cordova Argentina

www.panamracing.com

rdjones · 19 Jan 2005, 20:33 (Ref:1205050)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike.ca

1 10-12 June Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Montreal, Canada[URL]

That's the same weekend as the Grand Prix.