communiqués de presse
communiqués de presse

51 Clio Cups for the second round in Monza

The Clio Cup Series is ramping up for round two of the calendar in Italy. Fifty-one drivers representing eleven countries will be in action at the iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza to kick off the Clio Cup Europe, Clio Cup Italia and Clio Cup Mid-Europe campaigns in what promises to be an intense weekend.

20 April 2023

On the heels of the season-opener at Nogaro, the Clio Cup Series contenders now head to one of motor racing's most famous circuits, the "Temple of Speed", Monza. All the elements for an on-track spectacle are in place at the home of the Italian Grand Prix, known for its dazzling slipstreaming and unpredictable weather conditions.

European title on the line

Since its successful renaissance in 2021, the Clio Cup Europe has been the property of Milan Compétition drivers, first with Nicolas Milan, then with Anthony Jurado.

Title-holder Anthony Jurado will target his second consecutive crown against familiar rivals, including Clio Cup Series and Clio Cup France leader Nicolas Milan, and David Pouget (GPA Racing), who set the pace in Nogaro. The French drivers have been at the forefront for several years but will face some up-and-coming adversaries determined to upset the hierarchy. Among them will be Clio Cup Middle East champion; Poland's Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing), the three-time Clio Cup Central Europe champion Tomas Pekar (Carpek Racing) from the Czech Republic, and a pair of Clio Cup Italia winners, Gabriele Torelli (Rangoni Corse) and Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse).

The battle to succeed Jerzy Spinkiewicz in the Challengers Cup could also impact the leading contenders due to the increased ambitions of the competitors in this class. In addition to the Spanish twin brothers Adrian and Alejandro Schimpf (AST Competition), already at the sharp end of the order in Clio Cup España, Frenchmen Mickaël Carrée (T2CM), Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) and Julien Baziret (Baziret Sport) should also be in the mix. After a promising campaign last year, Serbia's Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing Team) is another to keep an eye on, as are the Italian drivers determined to excel on home turf: Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes (Essecorse), Mattia Lancellotti (Faro Racing), Damiano Puccetti (Rangoni Corse). Meanwhile, newcomers Leonardo Arduini (MC Motortecnica), Ludovico Longoni (MC Motortecnica) and Frenchman Pierre Bredeaux (Comte Racing Team) cannot be overlooked.

Dutchman Stephan Polderman (Chefo Sport), who won the Gentlemen Drivers Cup last year, has now his sights set on the Racers Cup crown but will have to contend with teammate Rene Steenmetz (Chefo Sport) and their rival, Quinto Stefana (Milan Compétition). This trio will, however, have to be wary of Frenchmen Benjamin Cauvas (GPA Racing) and Lionel Viguier (T2CM), who is determined to regain the European title, and of several local experienced drivers, including Daniele Pasquali (Tuder Motorsport), Luca Franca (MC Motortecnica), Alex Lancellotti (Faro Racing) and Andrea Cherichetti (MC Motortecnica).

Fratelli d’Italia

While  Gabriele Torelli will be at Monza, the Rangoni Corse team leader will not defend his Clio Cup Italia crown after opting to enter the Clio Cup Mid-Europe. Among the title contenders are his countrymen Cristian Ricciarini and Massimiliano Danetti (Faro Racing), winners in 2009, 2016 and 2020, and Jerzy Spinkiewicz, now challenging Italy's best drivers.

Challenger Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica), who was in the spotlight last year, hopes to be among the leaders. There are also several Italian drivers determined to shake up the pecking order. With protagonists such as Alessandro Brigatti (Progetto E20 Motorsport), Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes, Gianalberto Coldani (MC Motortecnica), Alessio Alcidi (Tuder Motorsport), Alessandro Alcidi (Tuder Motorsport), Sandro Cutini (Faro Racing) and Mattia Lancellotti, the battle promises to be fierce... All the more so as the field gets a boost with the arrival of several newcomers from other categories, including Leonardo Arduini, Ludovico Longoni, Federico Danova (Essecorse), Francesco Miotto (Progetto E20 Motorsport), Francesco Pagano (Scuderia Costa Ovest), Francesco Savoia (Progetto E20 Motorsport) and Adam Sascha (Sevenhills Motorsport).

The Racers Cup also promises some great battles. Runner-up to Quinto Stefana, Daniele Pasquali wants to follow in his former rival's footsteps, but he will have to battle stout opposition from Due (Oregon Team), Luca Franca, Alex Lancellotti and Andrea Cherichetti, not to mention the Clio Cup return of Manuel Stefani (Sevenhills Motorsport)!

Wide open in Clio Cup Mid-Europe

What used to be Clio Cup Eastern Europe is now Clio Cup Mid-Europe, and it promises to be more competitive than ever with a long list of contenders. Anthony Jurado is aiming for the double by winning this group as well, but it could be a tall order for the Montpellier native against past champions, such as Tomas Pekar and Gabriele Torelli, and Switzerland's Andreas Stucki (Stucki Motorsport), a regular front-runner.

Nikola Miljkovic and Guillaume Maio are among the favourites in the Challengers Cup, but Taiwan's Chen Han Lin (Uniq Racing) is keen to show how much he has improved. Swiss racer Daniel Nyffeler (Stucki Motorsport), who has been a driving force in Clio Cup Bohemia and Clio Cup Central Europe for the past decade, also has victory in mind in this category. 1997 French Intercontinental Karting A Champion Marc Fleurance (T2CM) could well get into the thick of the action after impressing in a one-off drive last year, just like Hungarian Tim Gabor (GM Sport), making another appearance thanks to the crowdfunding raised by his remarkable performances in 2022! Lastly, Dutchmen Rene Steenmetz and Stephan Polderman will resume their duel in the Racers Cup.

Outsiders with everything to play for

Four drivers complete the Clio Cup Series field. After several years of success in the Clio Cup, including a Clio Cup España title in 2007, Fernando Navarrete (Chefo Sport) makes his comeback just over a year after entering the Clio Ice Trophy. After a long break, Slovenia's Jaka Marinsek (Lema Racing) also returns to a discipline that Serbian Ivan Mandić (Tempo Racing Team) will discover after impressing in ESET, the Serbian Hill Climb Championship and rallying while Frenchman Sébastien Gehin (T2CM) also makes his Clio Cup Series debut!

The 51-car field will be on track Friday for the collective tests and the first qualifying session. The two races on Saturday at 3:45 pm and Sunday at 1:35 pm will be streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 21 April
9:00-9:30 am: Collective test 1
12:00-12:30 pm: Collective test 2
4:30-4:50 pm: Qualifying 1 (for Race 2)

Saturday 22 April
10:40-11:00 am: Qualifying 2 (for Race 1)
3:45-4:20 pm: Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | Youtube

Sunday 23 April
1:35-2:10 pm: Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | Youtube

Entry list

Document

51 Clio Cups for the second round in Monza

voir le document voir la médiathèque

Guillaume Renard

Press officer Renault Customer Racing

guillaume@zonerouge.fr

Since the introduction of the R8 Gordini Cup in 1966, Renault has maintained a constant presence on tracks worldwide. Since 1991, several thousand Clio Cups have been sold, with all five generations recognised for their performance, reliability and affordability. With its experience in promotional formulas and one-make series, Renault offers its savoir-faire and expertise to experienced and amateur drivers by providing them with a product adapted to their needs. For 2023, Clio Cup will race through the Clio Cup Series, bringing together Clio Cup Europe, Clio Cup France, Clio Cup España, Clio Cup Italia and Clio Cup Mid Europe with a calendar offering numerous opportunities to competitors from all backgrounds.

Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond.

médiathèque (3)

Document

51 Clio Cups for the second round in Monza
51 Clio Cups for the second round in Monza

Since the introduction of the R8 Gordini Cup in 1966, Renault has maintained a constant presence on tracks worldwide. Since 1991, several thousand Clio Cups have been sold, with all five generations recognised for their performance, reliability and affordability. With its experience in promotional formulas and one-make series, Renault offers its savoir-faire and expertise to experienced and amateur drivers by providing them with a product adapted to their needs. For 2023, Clio Cup will race through the Clio Cup Series, bringing together Clio Cup Europe, Clio Cup France, Clio Cup España, Clio Cup Italia and Clio Cup Mid Europe with a calendar offering numerous opportunities to competitors from all backgrounds.

Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond.

sur le même sujet