3 November 2013
Ivan Pulic wraps up season with victory
Croatia’s Ivan Pulic (Lema Racing Team) took his first victory of the year in the last race of the season at Motorland Aragón. The 20-year-old rookie won from Thomas Fjordbach (Polar Seafood Racing) and Josh Files (Team Pyro) in a spectacular finale to the 2013 Eurocup Clio. Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport), meanwhile, beat Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) to fourth place to secure the runner-up spot in the championship.
After sealing the title yesterday, Josh Files had the chance to finish the season in style by starting race two from pole. The Britain lined up on the grid ahead of Thomas Fjordbach, Ivan Pulic, Antonio Martinez (SMC Junior Motorsport) and Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team).
In a repeat of the start to Saturday’s race, Thomas Fjordbach got away quickest to pass Josh Files into the lead. There was plenty of incident early on, with contact between drivers throughout the field. And after sneaking past Antonio Martinez, Eric Trémoulet was soon repassed by both the Spaniard and Massimiliano Pedalà.
At the end of lap three, Josh Files took advantage of an incident involving Thomas Fjordbach and Antonio Martinez – the latter penalised post-race - to regain the lead. The Briton, however, soon found himself under pressure from Ivan Pulic. And on lap six, the Croatian found an opening at the end of the straight and passed Files into first place.
Ivan Pulic held firm to take victory for the first time this season. He crossed the line ahead of Thomas Fjordbach, who had passed Josh Filed on the penultimate lap. Massimiliano Pedalà beat 2013 Clio Cup España winner Nicolas Milan to fourth place, and in doing so the Italian secured the runner-up spot in the championship. Clio Cup France champion Eric Trémoulet finished sixth, followed by Facundo Della Motta (Milan Compétition), Jean-Philippe Lamic (Vic’Team), Daniele Perfetti (Seminole Racing Team) and Florian Bernard (FB Team).
What they said
Ivan Pulic: "When I quit hill climb racing two years ago, everything was new to me. And after getting two podiums in the Clio Cup Italy last year, I thought I’d be happy with a top-ten finish in the Eurocup. I knew I was quick enough for a podium finish, but I didn’t expect to win. It’s incredible, and it feels great. Big thanks to the team for their work this season. See you next year!"
Thomas Fjordbach: "I didn’t manage to stretch the lead at the start of the race. Then, Antonio was late on the brakes and pushed me. But other than that, the race was a lot of fun and Josh and I had a great battle."
Josh Files: "That was the best race ever! I tried to regain the advantage over Thomas after the start, as I thought he was looking in his rear-view mirrors too much. Everyone was pushing to find an opening. When Ivan and then Thomas attacked, my car oversteered enormously. All of this made it a special final race, and it’s great to finish with a battle like that."
Eurocup Clio – provisional championship standings: 1. J. Files 198, 2. M. Pedalà 165, 3. N. Milan 161, 4. T. Fjordbach 123, 5 E. Trémoulet 117...
*Results to be confirmed, pending post-race technical inspections
