2 November 2013
Pole, victory and title for Josh Files
Josh Files (Team Pyro) sealed the 2013 Eurocup Clio title with victory in race one at Motorland Aragón. Files had started on pole after outpacing Thomas Fjordbach (Polar Seafood Racing) in qualifying. At 22, the Briton becomes the youngest driver to be crowned Eurocup Clio champion. The battle for the runner-up spot between Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport) and Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) will be decided tomorrow, with Milan having finished third in Saturday’s race.
On Saturday morning, Josh Files secured another double in qualifying to make it four pole positions in a row. The championship leader set the fastest lap at the end of the session to finish ahead of Thomas Fjordbach, Massimiliano Pedalà, Ivan Pulic (Lema Racing Team) and Nicolas Milan.
Thomas Fjordbach caught Josh Files by surprise at the start to take an early lead, but Britain’s Files hit back on lap two by repassing on the outside of turn three. Massimiliano Pedalà, Nicolas Milan and Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team) followed the front pair. Milan passed Pedalà on lap two, while Trémoulet lost several places to the benefit of Ivan Pulic, Antonio Martinez (SMC Junior Motorsport) and Jean-Philippe Lamic (Vic’Team).
Josh Files then set a string of fastest laps to stretch his advantage. And with Files pulling away, attention turned to Massimiliano Pedalà as he fought to defend fourth place from Ivan Pulic. With two laps to go, however, Croatia’s Pulic found an opening and passed Pedalà, ending the Composit Motorsport man’s title hopes.
Josh Files held on to take his third straight victory and secure the 2013 Eurocup Clio title. Thomas Fjordbach and Nicolas Milan joined him on the podium, followed by Ivan Pulic, Antonio Martinez and Eric Trémoulet. Massimiliano Pedalà finished seventh, with Jean-Philippe Lamic, Facundo Della Motta (Milan Compétition) and Daniele Perfetti (Seminole Racing Team) completing the top ten.
What they said
Josh Files: "It feels like a dream. My start wasn’t great, but I managed to retake the lead and build a gap as the race went on. Thomas [Fjordbach] made a mistake and I took advantage. I knew that if I could win, I’d have a chance of taking the title. Things couldn’t have turned out any better. It’s perfect!"
Thomas Fjordbach: "I was too late on the brakes and Josh took full advantage by repassing me. It was my mistake but I’m still delighted with this podium finish, as Josh beat us all by seven tenths in qualifying. Once he was out in front he was very quick, and it was difficult to keep pace with him."
Nicolas Milan: "The title has gone, but Josh Files was much quicker this weekend. He deserves his victory and he had an excellent race. As for me, I had a bit of trouble at the start but I’m very pleased to be on the podium. Tomorrow I’ll go out and try to take second place in the overall standings."
Eurocup Clio – provisional championship standings: 1. J. Files 183, 2. M. Pedalà 153, 3. N. Milan 151, 4. E. Trémoulet 109, 5. T. Fjordbach 105...
*Results to be confirmed, pending post-race technical inspections
