Jack Byrne joins GPA Racing for Clio Cup Europe campaign
Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year Jack Byrne will take on his biggest challenge to date as the Wexford native has signed a deal with GPA Racing to tackle the 2024 Renault Clio Cup Europe Championship. Byrne enjoyed a very successful season competing in MINI CHALLENGE UK in 2023 claiming multiple wins with Graves Motorsport on his way to finishing 3rd overall and claiming the Graduate championship.
However, bigger success was to come, as in December he was announced as the 2023 Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year in association with Sport Ireland. The award, consisting of the prestigious Sexton Trophy and a €50,000 prize fund, has enabled Byrne to make the step up to European level and into the highly competitive Clio Cup Europe.
Clio Cup Europe will see the drivers battle it out for overall honours on nine of Europe's best circuits including Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Paul Ricard. Utilising the factory built Generation 5 Clio Cup car, the championship has attracted grids of up to 60 cars in previous years and ensures ultra competitive racing with tight technical regulations.
Byrne is hoping to be competing at the front as he joins the current Clio champions at GPA Racing. The French team's many years experience competing in Clios as well as GT’s make them the perfect team to help Jack hit the ground running when the championship kicks off in Nogaro at the end of March.
“I am delighted to finally be able to share my plans for 2024. Following on from a pair of successful seasons in Mini Challenge UK I feel like Clio Cup is a natural next step. This is my first championship in a factory built car and so far I am really enjoying driving them. After driving front wheel drive cars for most of my career I am feeling really at home behind the wheel of the Clio. We have done a few days testing with GPA already and I am really impressed with their knowledge and professionalism and I am really looking forward to working closely with them this season. The racing will be as close as ever in the European championship and I can't wait to get stuck in. The calendar is mega and I am very lucky to get to compete on some of the most renowned circuits in Europe.”
"I am delighted to have many returning partners for this season as well as welcoming some new partners onboard. I am also honoured to be representing Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland on the international stage. We have a few more pre-season tests before the season gets underway in Nogaro on the Easter weekend and I am really excited to get going!”