Grapevine: Diniz Launches New Brazilian Racing Series

Ex-Formula One driver Pedro Diniz has launched a new Renault Super Megane series in Brazil and has attracted former Grand Prix driver Luciano Burti to drive in the Championship.

One year after introducing Formula Renault and Copa Clio in the country, the former Ligier, Arrows and Sauber driver has announced that his PPD Sports company will also promote the brand-new Championship.

Diniz is hopeful of attracting the most famous Brazilian drivers with a total prize fund of $330,000 (US Dollars).

Luciano Burti, the former Jaguar, Prost and Ferrari driver, was the first to commit and was immediately followed by Raul Boesel, World Sport Cars champion in 1987, and Chico Serra, who raced for Fittipaldi and Arrows in Formula One in 1981 and 1982.

A maximum of 15 drivers will be allowed to take part in the first season, with the first of the six-round calendar held at Curitiba on August 31.

The series is a partnership between Renault Sport Brazil and Action Power, a company owned by Tarso Marques' family that also runs a Stock Car team in the country.

The ex-Minardi driver has been conducting the track development and so far has been pleased with the overall performance.

The championship will pay 40 per cent of the prize fund to the champion with the rest of the money being distributed for the three first-placed drivers of each race.

Mauricio Gugelmin, who has been out of business since his retirement from CART series two years ago, is returning as a team owner.