20 October 2013
Josh Files at the double
After falling slightly off the pace in the battle for the Eurocup Clio title following his retirement in race two at the Paul Ricard, Josh Files (Team Pyro) stormed back into contention by winning yesterday’s race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Clearly in the groove after landing the Renault Clio Cup UK title, the British driver completed the double on Sunday, winning from Antonio Martinez (SMC Junior Motorsport) and Nicolas Milan (Team LMV CL Brakes) to take maximum points from the weekend and move out in front in the championship standings.
Thanks to the double pole position he secured on Saturday morning, Josh Files was on front of the grid once again, with Cristian Ricciarini (Composit Motorsport), Simone Di Luca (Rangoni Corse), Antonio Martinez and Thomas Fjordbach (Polar Seafood Racing) behind him.
Josh Files took command from the off, leading the way from Cristian Ricciarini and Antonio Martinez, who found a way past Simone Di Luca at the lights. There was lots of bumping and boring to their rear, with Luciano Gioia (Composit Motorsport) and Gonzalo Martin de Andres (SMC Junior Motorsport) both forced to retire on lap one.
Simone Di Luca and Cristian Ricciarini’s hopes of a top-three finish ended when they collided two laps later, allowing Thomas Fjordbach to move up to third with Nicolas Milan right behind him in fourth. Having started in tenth, the Frenchman continued his charge by sweeping into the top three on lap seven, though he then had to fend off a concerted challenge from David Dickenson (Team Pyro).
Up front Josh Files kept Antonio Martinez at bay to seal his third win of the year. Nicolas Milan joined them on the podium and was followed in by David Dickenson, Facundo Della Motta (Milan Competition), Eric Tremoulet (Vic’Team), Thomas Fjordbach and Tomas Pekar (Pujolaracing). Unable to make much of an impact, title contender Massimiliano Pedala finally came in ninth.
What they said
Josh Files: “It’s been a perfect weekend and it couldn’t have gone better for me. Martinez was very quick out there and he didn’t give me any respite. I’m the points leader now and I’ll need to finish the season well to win the title.”
Antonio Martinez: “I’m happy with my weekend at home. Everything’s gone really well since Friday. I’m hoping to do just as well at Motorland, as I had some good testing sessions there in the winter.”
Nicolas Milan: “It was a good race for the fans, with lots of overtaking. With my retirement yesterday, I’m a good way behind in the standings now and I’ll need to win at Motorland Aragon to have a chance of taking the title. But even if I don’t make it, it will still be a good season.”
