Spectacular, intense and full of twists and turns, the Clio Cup Series lives up to its reputation with lively races and fierce battles from lights out to the chequered flag. After a well-deserved summer break, the competitors are gearing up for the second half of the season and the battles for the many crowns still up for grabs.

Everything is still to play for in the Clio Cup Series !

With four wins and eight podiums from ten starts, Gabriele Torelli (Rangoni Corse) has built up a 57-point lead in the flagship competition. Despite his advantage, the Italian knows that he has little margin for error against his three rivals who have all won the title in the past three years : Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition), David Pouget (GPA Racing) and Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition). On home soil, the three French drivers will do their utmost to narrow the gap and get back into contention this weekend.

Lorenzo van Riet (Rangoni Corse), currently fifth in the general classification, is leading the way in the Challengers. A Clio Cup newcomer, the Dutchman has won four times in the category, as has rival Guillaume Maio (GM Sport). Fourteen points separate the two men, who will look to strike hard in Nevers to oust Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing) and Ludovico Longoni (MC Motortecnica) from a title race from which Benjamin Cauvas (GPA Racing) and Milan Popovic (Tempo Racing) are no longer in contention.

Damiano Puccetti, also a member of the Rangoni Corse team, leads the Junior category. However, fellow Italian Leonardo Arduini (MC Motortecnica) is on equal points with him and they are just three points clear of Jack Byrne (GPA Racing). The battle promises to be all the more intense as the AST Competition duo of Adrián Schimpf and Mauro Polderman, along with Nikola Tosic (AKSK Crvena Zvezda), attempt to remain in the hunt. After a solid start at Spa, Harry McGovern (GPA Racing) and Lucas Cartelle (Milan Compétition) will continue their learning curve as they look to make inroads into the battle.

With seven wins from ten races, Mickaël Carrée (T2CM) has the chance to seal the Gentlemen’s title this weekend and on home soil. Stephan Polderman (AST Competition) and Michel Faye (GM Sport), the remaining contenders, hope to continue the battle in Barcelona while Nava (MC Motortecnica) and Horn (GPA Racing) aim to mix it up with the category front-runners.

The turning point in Clio Cup France ?

Clio Cup France also returns for the penultimate round of its calendar. As in the Clio Cup Series, Gabriele Torelli leads the general classification, but the Italian only has a 14-point advantage over Nicolas Milan and a 53-point lead over David Pouget. They and fellow Frenchman Alexandre Finkelstein (GPA Racing) are keen to regain the upper hand at home.

Fourth and seventh overall, Florian Venturi (GM Sport) and Mickaël Carrée can already secure the title in the Junior and Gentlemen categories. However, the former must contend with Thomas Compain (Milan Compétition) and Pierre Bredeaux (Comte Racing) while the latter must keep an eye on teammate Samuel Chaligne (T2CM) and Michel Faye. The Calvin Comte (Comte Racing) - Cédric Delcroix (GPA Racing) duel in the Challengers category could also be settled this weekend.

Clio Cup Mid-Europe reaches the halfway point of the season

Magny-Cours will also host the third of five Clio Cup Mid-Europe meetings. Lorenzo van Riet, victorious at Hockenheim and Spa, will try to add a new circuit to his record to distance himself from the chase group led by Thomas Compain, vying for his first success. Guillaume Maio and Nikola Miljkovic, who have already won this season, will also target the top step of the podium to move into the lead.

Lorenzo van Riet also leads in the Challengers category, with Nikola Miljkovic, Guillaume Maio and others determined to hit the ground running. They include Andreas Stucki (Stucki Motorsport), Jaroslav Honzík (GM Sport), Knuteirik Knudsen (TF Performance), Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition), Benjamin Cauvas, Daniel Nyffeler (Stucki Motorsport), Romain Lavocat (GM Sport) and Rémi Belleville (FAS Competition). In the Junior class, Thomas Compain will attempt to extend his lead, with strong rivals such as Jack Byrne, Mauro Polderman, Nikola Tosic and Felix Heiberg (TF Performance) still in title contention.

Clio Cup España and Clio Cup Italia return in Barcelona

Three weeks after the season’s restart at Magny-Cours, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host Clio Cup España and Clio Cup Italia, with several titles still up for grabs. While Damiano Puccetti has already won the Clio Cup España, there will be a stellar three-way battle in the Gentlemen category, with Andrea Chierichetti (MC Motortecnica) going into the final just one point ahead of Gaël Rostant (GPA Racing) and Samuel Chaligne.

The Catalan track will also be the scene of the third of five Clio Cup Italia meetings, led by Alex Lancellotti (GPA Racing) after his double win at Spa-Francorchamps. The Italian will defend his lead against Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse) and Anthony Jurado (Rangoni Corse), both of whom won at Misano, as well as his pursuers in the Challengers category, led by Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica) and Mattia Lancellotti (Sevenhills Motorsport). Leonardo Arduini, the leader in the Junior class, will also have lofty ambitions in the general classification, as will Clio Cup Middle East title-holder Eduardo Miranda (Uniq Racing) and Adam Sascha (Sevenhills Motorsport). Cristian Ricciarini will also be closely monitoring his rivals in the Gentlemen category, notably David Pajot (Vic’Team) and Stephan Polderman.

Forty-two entries at Magny-Cours

Forty-two drivers representing the main protagonists in the Clio Cup Series, Clio Cup France and Clio Cup Mid-Europe will be in action at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Among them will also be Gentlemen Udo Brunner (Stucki Motorsport), Laurent Dziadus (Team Lucas) and Sébastien Gehin (T2CM), as well as three new competitors : Challenger Maxime Guedou (T2CM), Gentleman Rodrigue Dagnet (Milan Compétition) and third-generation racer Nicolas Milan Jr. (Milan Compétition).

See the complete entry list here and watch both races live on Renault Clio Series Facebook and YouTube channels.

TIMETABLE

Friday 23 August
15:00-15:30 : Free Practice 1
18:45-19:15 : Free Practice 2

Saturday 24 August
12:25-12:45 : Qualifying 1
19:00-19:30 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Sunday 25 August
9:30-10:00 : Qualifying 2
16:55-17:25 : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube