12 July 2014
A winning bet for Massimiliano Pedalà
From 17th on the grid, Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport) moved his way through the field to take his first victory of the season in the Eurocup Clio. Starting on slick tyres on a drying track surface, the Italian driver’s gamble paid off in taking the victory ahead of wild-card Tomas Pekar (Lema Racing Team) and Facundo Della Motta (Pujolaracing). Massimiliano Pedalà moved up the general classification, still dominated by Oscar Nogues (Rangoni Corse), who finished seventh after starting from pole position.
After winning both ends of the Motorland Aragón weekend, Oscar Nogues took his first pole position of the season at the Nürburgring ahead of team-mate Alex Morgan (Rangoni Corse) and Mikel Azcona (PCRSport). Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team) and Josh Files (Team Pyro) completed the top starting grid top five.
When the lights went out, Oscar Nogues resisted the attacks of Alex Morgan and Mikel Azcona to hold on to the lead of the race. Behind the leading trio, Josh Files, Salvatore Arcarese (Composit Motorsport) and Rafael Villanueva (SMC Junior Motorsport) moved passed Eric Trémoulet. The Englishman carried his momentum in attacking first Mikel Azcona then Alex Morgan to conclude the opening lap in second position.
On a drying track surface, the race became hectic. Mikel Azcona overtook Alex Morgan on lap two. Tomas Pekar picked up several places as the laps ticked off thanks to his slick tyres. Starting 13th, the Czech driver took the lead of the race on lap five. The 2013 Eurocup Clio runner-up Massimiliano Pedalà was on a similar strategy and too moved up through the field after starting 17th on the grid.
On lap eight, Massimiliano Pedalà overtook Tomas Pekar and pulled away to take the win four laps later. Facundo Della Motta finished third, followed by Rene Steenmetz (Pujolaracing) and Nikolay Gryazin (Composit Motorsport), who all the same had to serve a drive-through penalty early in the race, for not mounting the wheels on his car in the mandatory time prior to the start. Josh Files finished sixth, ahead of Oscar Nogues, Mikel Azcona, Rafael Villanueva and Alex Morgan.
Quotes
Massimiliano Pedalà: “I had a puncture during qualifying. By starting so far back, we decided to take a chance and start on slicks despite the wet conditions. It was not easy early on, but the wager quickly paid dividends. Alas, the other races are difficult and the championship is very close.”
Tomas Pekar: “We decided to start on slicks at the last minute on the grid. My car was set up for a wet track, which was an advantage in the first part of the race. The set-ups were, however, a little too aggressive in the final laps, which allowed Massimiliano to pass me. I am still very happy with this podium result!”
Facundo Della Motta: “Like my fellow podium finishers, a choice had to me made at the start. It was risky, but it was worth it because I obtained my first podium in the Eurocup Clio. This is great for the team Pujolracing and all my supporters that have come from Argentina!”
Provisional General Classification * : 1. O. Nogues – 58 points, 2. M. Pedalà – 46, 3. M. Azcona – 33, 4. J. Files – 32, 5. E. Trémoulet – 31, …
*Subject to confirmation of the results following the technical and sporting verifications.
