A fortnight after the Clio Cup Mid-Europe at Zandvoort, another regional group is about to conclude its 2023 campaign. Known for hosting the San Marino and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Imola track is one of the few counter-clockwise circuits on the calendar, providing a spectacular show with its chicanes and brutal braking zones, testing the bravery of even the most daring drivers... All this at a crucial time, with several titles still at stake !

Tension mounts in Clio Cup Europe

Already mathematically assured of the Clio Cup Series title, David Pouget (GPA Racing) could double his tally this weekend. The Frenchman has a 52-point advantage over his nearest rival in Clio Cup Europe and is the only contender in a position to be crowned this weekend in Italy. There are several scenarios before the two worst results are dropped ahead of the Barcelona final, and he will also have to contend with Gabriele Torelli (Rangoni Corse), determined to excel on home soil after winning the Clio Cup Mid-Europe. Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition) is currently third in the standings and will do his utmost to stay in the hunt and defend his crown to the end, whilst Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) will have to make up ground if he is to keep his chances alive. Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing) and Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse) will try to remind their rivals of their status by aiming for a strong result at Imola.

Adrian Schimpf (AST Competition) could seal the Challengers Cup title this weekend, with his brother Alejandro Schimpf (AST Competition) and Italy’s Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes (Essecorse) needing to score more points than him to keep the suspense going. Nevertheless, there could be new twists and turns in the category as Italy’s Mattia Lancellotti (Faro Racing) aims to return to the podium’s top step on home soil. His countrymen Damiano Puccetti (Rangoni Corse), Leonardo Arduini (MC Motortecnica) and Ludovico Longoni (MC Motortecnica) will chase after a maiden victory on home soil, as will France’s Guillaume Maio (GM Sport).

The battle will also intensify in the Racers Cup, where the top four are covered by only twenty-three points, less than a win. Leader since winning the Clio Cup Mid-Europe at Zandvoort in the same category, Rene Steenmetz (AST Competition) will be defending his position against Lionel Viguier (T2CM), Stephan Polderman (AST Competition) and Luca Franca (MC Motortecnica), determined to regain the lead in front of his home crowd. Quinto Stefana (Milan Compétition), Daniele Pasquali (Tuder Motorsport), Andrea Chierichetti (MC Motortecnica) and Alex Lancellotti (Faro Racing) will also be keen to shine in their backyard in a field completed by Michel Faye (GM Sport).

Two Clio Cup Italia crowns to be decided

The second regional group to draw to a close in 2023, Clio Cup Italia promises plenty of battles, with two titles still up for grabs at Imola. Atop the general classification with a solid lead, Luca Franca already has one hand on the crown since Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica) will have to win twice and hope that his teammate scores no more than two points to steal the title from him. Jerzy Spinkiewicz, Cristian Ricciarini and Luciano Gioia (Essecorse) will attempt to end their Italian campaign in style and finish as high as possible in the classification.

The battle for the Challengers Cup promises to be thrilling, with four contenders still in the running. With the worst result discounted before the final round, Mattia Lancellotti has a nine-point lead over Giacomo Trebbi. Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes and Leonardo Arduini are 44 and 49 points behind, with 50 points still to be won. This quartet will face off in a final double-header in which the slightest position could make all the difference in a category that also includes Gianalberto Coldani (MC Motortecnica), Francesco Pagano (Scuderia Costa Ovest), Adam Sascha (Sevenhills Motorsport), Ludovico Longoni and Francesco Miotto (Progetto E20 Motorsport).

Already crowned champion in the Racers Cup, Luca Franca will look to finish on a high in this class, where his rivals will challenge him for the last time this year. Among them, Alex Lancellotti, Due (Oregon Team) and Sandro Cutini (Faro Racing) will battle for the two remaining steps of the season-ending podium while chasing a maiden win. Opposite them, Andrea Chierichetti, Daniele Pasquali, Manuel Stefani (Sevenhills Motorsport), Quinto Stefana and Rolando Bordacchini (Speed Motor) will try to end their seasons with a bang.

Four newcomers will complete the field : kart racer Donato Barnaba (Progetto E20 Motorsport), rally driver Davide Rosini (Tuder Motorsport), and two Slovenian competitors from Lema Racing, Nik Stefancic and Miha Primozic, second and fourth this season in the ESET Cup Series Clio Cup. The field meets on Friday to open the event, with both races streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and the Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 27 October
9:05-9:35 : Collective tests 1
12:35-13:05 : Collective tests 2
17:30-17:50 : Qualifying 1

Saturday 28 October
17:40-18:10 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Sunday 29 October
9:00-9:20 : Qualifying 2
15:40-16:10 : Course 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | | Facebook | YouTube

Entry list