19 October 2013
Josh Files storms to Barcelona win
The winner of the Nouvelle Clio Cup’s debut race at the start of the season, Josh Files (Team Pyro) climbed back on top of the podium on Saturday after winning from pole at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The British driver was followed home by Antonio Martinez (SMC Junior Motorsport) and Simone Di Luca (Rangoni Corse) and is now a mere ten points adrift of championship leader Massimiliano Pedala (Composit Motorsport), who finished fifth.
In the morning’s qualifying session Josh Files grabbed his first pole position of the year from Antonio Martinez, Cristian Ricciarini (Composit Motorsport), Simone Di Luca and Massimiliano Pedala. Oscar Nogues (RMS Engineering) had posted the second-fastest time but was later excluded from qualifying after his brake pads failed an inspection.
The polesitter fended off attacks from Antonio Martinez and Simone Di Luca when the lights went out, with the leading trio quickly breaking away from the rest of the field. A three-car shunt on lap one brought an abrupt end to the hopes of Gonzalo Martin de Andres (SMC Junior Motorsport), Cristian Ricciarini (Composit Motorsport) and the title-chasing Nicolas Milan (Team LMV CL Brakes).
After relinquishing the lead to Antonio Martinez on lap four, Josh Files quickly moved back in front and opened out what proved to be a race-winning gap, the newly crowned Renault Clio Cup UK champion easing home for win number two of the campaign.
Having seen Simone Di Luca duck past him, Antonio Martinez regained second place on the final lap, while Eric Tremoulet finished fourth after diving by Massimiliano Pedala on lap 11. Thomas Fjordbach (Polar Seafood Racing) came in sixth, with Facundo Della Motta (Milan Competition), Pablo Martin (SMC Junior Motorsport) and the Autosport GP duo of Julien Neveu and Patrice Garrouste rounding off the top ten in a race that saw numerous shunts up and down the field.
What they said
Josh Files: “Winning the British title perhaps helped me relax a little. I wanted to win it for sure but I still want the Eurocup more. This new-generation car is harder to drive. It’s a big challenge. I’d love to win both championships and that’s why I had to get the victory here. I hope to keep my momentum going tomorrow.”
Antonio Martinez: “It was an interesting race right from the start. I’ve been in the groove since the weekend began. These are my first points and my first podium, and all at home too.”
Simone Di Luca: “I was second at the start of the last lap but then I made a mistake. I don’t feel that confident with the new brakes. I just couldn’t close up on Josh because I was having problems at the braking points.”
Provisional Eurocup Clio standings: 1. M. Pedala 143 points; 2. J. Files 133; 3. N. Milan 121; 4. E. Tremoulet 93; 5. T. Fjordbach 81.
To be confirmed following post-race inspections.
