Clio Rally5

Chile

Entered in the Chilean Rally Championship season-opener, Clio Rally5 was in the capable hands of Jorge Martínez Fontena.

The nine-time national champion and co-driver Alberto Alvarez Nicholson from Argentina took the lead from the outset and dominated the two-wheel drive category in the Copec RallyMobil Santiago.

With a nearly one-minute lead at the end of the first loop, Jorge Martínez Fontena kept pushing until the finish to give Clio Rally5 its first win in Chile against the more powerful R2s and R3s.

After its successful debut on the Chilean gravel stages, Clio Rally5 is expected to be a regular campaigner in the Campeonato Copec I RallyMobil this year.

Czech Republic

Clio Rally5 also shined on tarmac this weekend.

At the opening round of the Central Rally Trophy and Czech Rally Championship, Vaclav Stejskal Jr and Stanislav Viktora Jr finished second in the two-wheel drive category in the Kowax Valašská Rally ValMez.

The Czech crew, which has past experience in the Clio Trophy France, managed to out-pace several R2 and Rally4 cars to score this promising result before the imminent arrival of Clio Rally4.

Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine

On Thursday and Friday, the Renault engines of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine certified by the FIA were in action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the second pre-season collective tests.

Switzerland’s Grégoire Saucy (ART Grand Prix) set the best time of 1:40.208s. Finland’s Patrick Pasma (KIC Motorsport) and Estonia’s Paul Aron (Prema Team) completed the top three. France’s Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP) was fifth and best among the rookies.

Like at Imola the previous week, the top 20 were separated by less than a second.

2020 Formula Renault Eurocup

Respectively third in the general classification and winner of the BRM Awards at the end of the 2020 season, Argentina’s Franco Colapinto and Spain’s David Vidales received BRM Chronographes timepieces in Barcelona.

Formula Renault Eurocup partner, BRM Chronographes will also award Victor Martins an exceptional watch, specially designed and reserved for the Formula Renault Eurocup champions.

Caio Collet will also receive a personalised watch, as did Franco Colapinto and David Vidales. Teams Champion R-ace GP received a prestigious BRM desk clock.

This week

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine certified by the FIA will be at Circuit Paul Ricard for the final pre-season collective tests.

On Friday, the 2021 Clio Cup Europe season kicks off at the Paul Armagnac Circuit in Nogaro. 30 drivers are expected to contest the two races on the Easter Cup programme. For more information, visit cliocup.fr tomorrow.

Photos 1 & 2 : RallyMobil
Photo 3 : Dutch Photo Agency
Photo 4 : Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine