The Clio Cup back in action at Hockenheim

The summer continues to be scorching and the action promises to be a stormy affair at the host venue for German F1 Grand Prix as the contenders return to their Clio Cups equipped with the 200bhp 1.3-litre TCe engine for a weekend, which could well decide the fate of many.

Clio Cup Europe: who will lead at the mid-season point?

While three drivers have won in the first eight races, the suspense remains intact as five can take the lead in Germany. Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) will try to extend his lead by repeating his German success of last year. But he will have to watch out for his pursuers, namely Marc Guillot (Milan Compétition), David Pouget (GPA Racing), Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing) and Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition).  Marc Guillot and Jerzy Spinkiewicz will be chasing their first victory of the year, but Tomáš Pekar (Carpek Service) will also be looking to get back into the fight.

With seven wins from eight starts, Jerzy Spinkiewicz will be looking to build on his success in the Challengers Cup. However, Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) and Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing Team) will have an opportunity to reverse the trend with a first victory. Meanwhile, Juuso Panttila (Carpek Service), Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes (Essecorse) and Chen Han Lin (Uniq Racing) want to raise their game and finally spray the champagne in this increasingly competitive category.

The race for the title will also accelerate in the Gentlemen Drivers Cup, where Stephan Polderman (Chefo Sport) and Quinto Stefana (Milan Compétition) are currently equal on points at the top, followed by René Steenmetz (Chefo Sport). While all three are favourites, Michel Faye (GM Sport) and Horn (GPA Racing) will look to confirm their progress to march on to the top step of the podium and get back on track for the second half of the season.

The first Clio Cup France titles?

The penultimate round of the Clio Cup France could see some contenders become champions, but nothing will be easy as always in Clio Cup!

In the general classification, David Pouget will have to put in an almost perfect weekend while hoping for a slip-up from his rivals led by Nicolas Milan to seal the title. His mission to score big points will be particularly difficult as there is also a titanic battle for third place in the standings and the Challengers Cup lead between Léo Jousset (Milan Compétition), Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing), Joran Leneutre (JSB Compétition), Jerzy Spinkiewicz and Alexandre Finkelstein (GPA Racing). If any of them is to take the lead before the season finale at Circuit Paul Ricard, they also need to finish ahead outsiders Guillaume Maio and Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition).

In the Gentlemen Drivers Cup, Mathieu Rigoulet (Vic'Team) could clinch the title on Sunday, but Lionel Viguier (T2CM) and Pierre Monmaneix (GPA Racing) will do everything they can to stop it. Defending champion Laurent Dziadus (Team Lucas) will do his best to stay in the fight until the end. Cédric Delcroix (GPA Racing), Horn, Jérémy Bordagaray (Milan Compétition), Benjamin Cauvas (GPA Racing) and Michel Faye will do their utmost to create a surprise.

Everything still to play for in Clio Cup Eastern Europe!

Clio Cup Eastern Europe leader Marc Guillot will try to extend his lead over Tomáš Pekar, Andreas Stucki (Stucki Motorsport) and Juuso Panttila, but his main rival for victory could very well be his team-mate Anthony Jurado, also victorious three times this year.

Leader of the Challengers Cup thanks to his streak of four consecutive victories, Juuso Panttila will look to take a first step towards the title against Chen Han Lin and Henrik Seibel (Carpek Sevice), who will target a victory on home soil. Lastly, Dutchmen Rene Steenmetz and Stephan Polderman will resume their duel in the Gentlemen Drivers Cup, both being equal on points at midseason.

Three drivers making their first appearance of the year will complete the field. T2CM has entered Sweden's Filip Sandström (T2CM), winner of the 2016 Renault Junior Cup Sweden and third in Clio Cup Central Europe in 2020, as well as Marc Fleurance, 1997 French Intercontinental A Champion in karting. Frenchman Fabien Frazao (GM Sport) will also make his debut, emulating his father, a former Renault 5 GT and Clio Cup driver in the 1980s and 1990s.

The thirty-three Clio Cups in Germany will take to the track on Friday. Both races will be streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and the Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 2 September
9:55-10:35 am: Collective test 1
1:05-13:45 pm: Collective test 2
4:50-5:10 pm: Qualifying1

Saturday 3 September
11:25-11:45 am: Qualifying 2
4-4:30 pm: Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | Youtube

Sunday 4 September
11:15-11:45 am: Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | Youtube

Entry list