Former World Series by Renault front runners KTR will return to racing in 2010 after announcing a three-car entry to the Formula Renault Eurocup.
The Belgian team, fronted by sportscar and touring car driver Kurt Mollekens, was forced to withdraw from the World Series earlier this season after being unable to secure funding to compete.
Nonetheless, having taken a year-long sabbatical, Mollekens has assessed his position in motorsport and decided that the Eurocup represents the best platform in single-seater racing.
“Since I took over the management of the team in 1995, KTR has gone through quite a journey, evolving from British F3 (2 seasons), over FIA F3000 (5 seasons) through to the World Series, where we were active for the past seven years”, the Belgian said.
“For the first time in the history of the team I have decided, and this in order to guarantee lasting success, to take a step back. The problem today in the single-seater world is fundamental: with GP2, WSR, F2, A1GP, SLF, IFM, F3, and now GP3, there are so many sub-F1-level categories that drivers can't see the wood for the trees.
“And the economic downturn has obviously not helped either. With less budget being available for an increasing offer of drives, the situation has become precarious for many teams racing at that level.”
“A quick look at the record books shows us that current F1 drivers Raikkonen, Massa, Hamilton, Kovalainen, Kubica, Grosjean and Alguersuari are all past FR2.0 race or championship winners”, Mollekens explains. “Three additional impulses guided me in my choice. Firstly, the Eurocup is held during the World Series by Renault meetings, which draws large crowds and enjoys good media coverage.
Secondly, I know the people behind the WSR well and they take their work very seriously. There are no unpleasant surprises. Thirdly, the newly-introduced single-seater provides teams with a level playing field.”
KTR, who managed two wins during four years of World Series by Renault racing, will enter three cars. Drivers are yet to be announced.
