Will the first titles be won at Circuit Paul Ricard? 

The pace keeps accelerating in Clio Cup with the first round of four meetings over the next six weeks culminating to the season finale in Barcelona. This thrilling sequence begins on the famous Var circuit, with the first night race of the season this Saturday evening.

Duels in sight in Clio Cup France

On home soil, the Clio Cup France competitors will keep a particularly close eye on the action. While David Pouget (GPA Racing) could be crowned Clio Cup Series super-winner on Sunday, the driver from Albi will focus above all on Clio Cup France, where he has a slim two-point lead over his rival Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition). In his quest for a first French crown against an opponent who has eight, David Pouget is keen to maintain his lead, both psychologically and in terms of points, ahead of the final in Catalunya.

Meanwhile, Jérémy Bordagaray (Milan Compétition), Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing) and Florian Venturi (GM Sport) hope to take advantage of the absence of Alexandre Finkelstein, who has recently become a father, to seize third place in the general classification. Florian Venturi also hopes to steal the lead in the Challengers Cup but to do so, he will have to battle Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition) and Florian Coruble (GM Sport). Jérémy Bordagaray could seal the Racers Cup title with a double win, but Lionel Viguier (T2CM), Fabien Julia (LR Performance), Raphaël Cuadrado (GM Sport) and Samuel Chaligne (T2CM) will do their utmost to prevent him from doing so in a field completed by Veenesh Shunker (T2CM), Gaël Rostant (GPA Racing) and Stéphane Nevers (GPA Racing).

Battle lines drawn in Clio Cup España

The title races also promise to intensify in Clio Cup España ahead of the Barcelona final. Leader since the Valencia meeting in late September, Alejandro Schimpf (AST Competition), will try to extend his lead over Jérémy Bordagaray and his twin brother Adrian Schimpf (AST Competition) in the trio that has broken away at the sharp end of the order. 

The three drivers will be competing on several fronts as Alejandro and Adrian Schimpf battle it out for top spot in the Challengers Cup, where Lydia Sempere (AST Competition) is eager to highlight once again her progress after her maiden category podium less than a fortnight ago. As in France, Jérémy Bordagaray will have the opportunity to seal the Racers Cup. However, Alejandro Romero (Team VRT) and Joaquin Rodrigo (Team VRT) want to keep the suspense going in a category that also includes Michel Faye (GM Sport) and 1989 Renault Super 5 GT Turbo French Cup winner Jean-Louis Carponcin (Teamalcar).

First outcomes in Clio Cup Italia?

The Clio Cup Italia could also crown its first champions before the final round at Imola at the end of October. Currently on a run of five consecutive wins, Luca Franca (MC Motortecnica) has his sights on the title this weekend, but the compact chasing pack is determined to close the gap before the final races. Among them, Mattia Lancellotti (Faro Racing), Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica), Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse), Leonardo Arduini (MC Motortecnica), Jacopo Cimenes (Essecorse), Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing) and Gianalberto Coldani (MC Motortecnica) will try to keep their hopes alive. 

This battle could significantly influence the Racers and Challengers title races. In the Racers Cup, Luca Franca could secure a second crown on Saturday evening, but Due (Oregon Team), Sandro Cutini (Faro Racing), Alessandro Alcidi (Tuder Motorsport) and Alex Lancellotti (Faro Racing) are ready to fight back. In the Challengers Cup, Giacomo Trebbi will look to distance himself from his rivals in a category where Francesco Pagano (Scuderia Costa Ovest), Ludovico Longoni (MC Motortecnica) and Adam Sascha (Sevenhills Motorsport) will try to mix it up with the leaders. 

The Italian field also includes Racers Andrea Chierichetti (MC Motortecnica), Manuel Stefani (Sevenhills Motorsport) and Quinto Stefana (Milan Compétiton). The entry list is completed by Challengers Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) and Thomas Compain (Milan Competition), as well as Racers Stephan Polderman (AST Competition) and Rene Steenmetz (AST Competition), who are only eligible for Clio Cup Series points. Lastly, Matteo Poloni (Essecorse) will make his debut with the fifth generation Clio Cup, four years after finishing third in Clio Cup Italia.

Meeting ten of the season begins on Friday, with collective tests at the end of the day. Both qualifying sessions and both races will be streamed live on Saturday and Sunday on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and the Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 6 October
17:40-18:10: Collective tests 1
22:10-22:40: Collective tests 2

Saturday 7 October
13:10-13:30: Qualifying 1  | Facebook | YouTube
21:50-22:25: Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Sunday 8 October
9:00-9:20: Qualifying 2 | Facebook | YouTube
14:30-15:05: Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Entry list