Action galore coming up at Imola

Two weeks after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola is now preparing to host the Clio Cup. As one of the few anti-clockwise tracks on the calendar, the Italian circuit often serves up spectacular races with its chicanes and brutal braking zones that test the mettle of the most daring drivers... And this first meeting in Italy promises to be all the more exciting as it will confirm or refute the initial trends seen in Clio Cup Europe while allowing the Italian contenders to show what they’ve got on the European stage!

Clio Cup Europe: who will stop Jurado?

Double race-winner at Jarama, Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition) has taken the lead in the Clio Cup Europe. Although he arrives at Imola intending to extend his lead, the Frenchman knows it will be a tall order against Marc Guillot (Milan Compétition) and David Pouget (GPA Racing), both of whom won last year at Imola. Currently fourth in the general classification, Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) also wants to raise his game in defence of his title at a crucial moment marked by the arrival of new contenders, including three-time Clio Cup Central Europe title-winner Tomáš Pekař (Carpek Services).

With a brace of victories in the Challengers Cup, Poland's Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing) is aiming more than ever for a first overall win but podium finishes in Spain, Mathieu Lannepoudenx (Milan Competition), Alex Lahoz (Cotauto Motorsport) and Guillaume Maio (GM Sport), all hope to dethrone him. Juuso Panttila (Carpek Services), Nico Abella (Chefo Sport) and Lin Chen Han (Uniq Racing) are also targeting a maiden top three result while Italians Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes (Essecorse), Luciano Gioia (Essecorse), William Mezzetti (Progetto E20 Motorsport) and Lorenzo Nicoli (Progetto E20 Motorsport) hope to use their knowledge of the track to upset the hierarchy . Other familiar faces, such as  Italy's Alessio Alcidi (Tuder Motorsport), Argentina's Mariano Alonso (GPA Racing) and Serbian Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing Team) will also kick off their seasons at Imola.

Rene Steenmetz (Chefo Sport) and Quinto Stefana (Milan Competition) are about to resume their duel in the Gentlemen Drivers Cup after picking up a win apiece at Jarama. However, neither of them should overlook Stephan Polderman (Chefo Sport); and Michel Faye (GM Sport), both on the podium in Spain. Argentina's Gabriel Alonso (GPA Racing), one of the 2021 BRM Award winners, is another serious contender. France's Horn (GPA Racing) and Italy's Andrea Argenti (SI Racing Team), and Daniele Pasquali (Tuder Motorsport) will begin their European campaigns at Imola.

Clio Cup Italy: who will succeed Marc Guillot?

With Marc Guillot not defending his title, the race to succeed him is wide open. In this reshuffled field, three favourites seem to be emerging: Italy's Gabriele Torelli (Faro Racing) and Felice Jelmini (PMA Motorsport), both victorious in Clio Cup Europe last year, and Austria's Sandro Soubek (Mair Racing Osttirol), one of the driving force in the Clio Cup Central Europe.

However, many drivers want to join the battle. Second and third in the Challengers Cup last season, Alessio Alcidi and Lorenzo Nicoli want to do better, but they will have to deal with William Mezzetti, Daniele Pasquali, Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica), Sandro Cutini (Proteam Race) and Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse), who won the Clio Cup Italia in 2009 and 2016. Already racing at Jarama, Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes and Luciano Gioia also hope to spring a surprise, as do Gianalberto Francesco Coldani (MC Motortecnica), Damiano Puccetti (PMA Motorsport), Cosimo Papi (Scuderia Costa Ouest) as well as Alex and Mattia Lancellotti (Faro Racing) in their debuts.

Defeated by Alessandro Sebasti Scalera a few months ago, Quinto Stefana and Due (Oregon Tam) are expected to battle at the sharp end of the Gentlemen Drivers Cup. However, they will have to watch out for Vittorio Zadotti (Scuderia Costa Ouest) and Andrea Argenti, who improved throughout the 2021 season. Clio Cup novice Andrea Cordini (Oregon Team) will also join the category.

The impressive field of forty-three Clio Cups will be joined by Kazakhstan's Yeraly Ospanov (Milan Competition) and Italian journalists Andrea Farina and Edoardo Curioni (Press League by Oregon Team). Scheduled for Saturday at 7.20 pm and Sunday at 4.30 pm, the two Imola weekend races will be streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and the Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 6 May
12:15-12:45 pm: Collective tests 1
5:10 -5:40 pm: Collective tests 2

Saturday 7 May
12:25-12:45 pm: Qualifying 1
7:20-7:50 pm: Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | Youtube

Sunday 8 May
10:00-10:20 am: Qualifying 2
4:30-5:00 pm: Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | Youtube