Four weeks after the Spielberg round, the Clio Cup contenders will meet again at the "Temple of Speed" of Monza. The action promises to be intense in the second-to-last round of the season at the home of the Italian Grand Prix, which is renowned for its extraordinary slipstreaming possibilities.

The turning point in Clio Cup Europe?

Five drivers can leave Monza in command of Clio Cup Europe ahead of the final stretch run that will continue at Circuit Paul Ricard (14-16 October) and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (11-13 November).

Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) leads the general classification and will aim to draw on his experience to widen the gap after a mixed weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Last year’s winner at Monza, the man with 13 Clio Cup crowns will have to be wary of his pursuers, led by teammates Anthony Jurado and Marc Guillot. David Pouget (GPA Racing), who also won on this track in 2021, will try to make up ground, as will Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing), who is becoming increasingly consistent at the sharp end of the field. Tomáš Pekar (Carpek Service) and Alessandro Brigatti (Progetto E20 Motorsport) are still mathematically in the running and aim for nothing less than victory, as they must gain points on the leaders to keep their title hopes alive.

In the Challengers Cup, Jerzy Spinkiewicz can seal his title as Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) and Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing Team) must win both races to keep the suspense alive. Their mission will be made all the more difficult as they cope with the raised ambitions of Juuso Panttila (Carpek Service), as well as Italian racers Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse), Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes (Essecorse), William Mezzetti (Progetto E20 Motorsport) and Alessio Alcidi (Tuder Motorsport). Taiwan’s Chen Han Lin (Uniq Racing) completes the category line-up.

In the Gentlemen Drivers Cup, Stephan Polderman (Chefo Sport) will look to build on his Austrian double to take a first step towards the crown, but Quinto Stefana (Milan Competition) is keen to reverse the trend on home soil. Third-placed René Steenmetz (Chefo Sport) will be playing his card to the full, as will Horn (GPA Racing) and Michel Faye (GM Sport), both determined to excel at this motor racing landmark.

Clio Cup Eastern Europe showdown

To conclude the inaugural season of the Clio Cup Eastern Europe, three drivers are in a position to be crowned and receive the three-hand watch from BRM Chronographes promised to the winner of each series.

Also competing at the top of the Clio Cup Europe, Marc Guillot and Anthony Jurado will engage in another duel where any position gap could make all the difference. The Milan Compétition duo will still have to keep an eye on Tomáš Pekar, who is ready to take advantage of any slip-up by his French rivals. Meanwhile, Andreas Stucki (Stucki Motorsport) will also be present to try to finish his campaign on a high note and make it into the top three of the end-of-season general classification.

The situation is less complicated in the Challengers Cup and Gentlemen Drivers Cup, led respectively by Juuso Panttila and Stephan Polderman. In the first category, the Finn will only have to start to seal his title and win a BRM Chronographes bracelet against Chen Han Lin and Henrik Seibel (Carpek Sevice). The Dutchman can do the same on Saturday if he finishes ahead of Rene Steenmetz!

The pressure mounts in Clio Cup Italia

Gabriele Torelli (Faro Racing) has won the last four races in Clio Cup Italia and heads to Monza after taking the lead in the general classification from Felice Jelmini (PMA Motorsport). Separated by six points, the two Italian rivals will cross swords again on a circuit where they both won last year to gain the upper hand before the season finale in Barcelona.

While hoping to remain masters in their own country, they will also have to battle with their countrymen entered in the Challengers Cup, where Cristian Ricciarini will defend his leadership position against Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica), Alessio Alcidi and Cosimo Papi (Scuderia Costa Ovest). While these four drivers have broken away, William Mezzetti, Gianalberto Coldani (MC Motortecnica), Jacopo Giuseppe Cimenes, Damiano Puccetti (PMA Motorsport) and Sandro Cutini (Prorace Team) will be fighting hard to keep their chances alive while Mattia Lancellotti (Faro Racing) makes his third appearance of the season.

Quinto Stefana could clinch the Gentlemen Drivers Cup title this week, but Daniele Pasquali (Tuder Motorsport) and Due (Oregon Team) want the fight to continue. Vittorio Zadotti (Scuderia Costa Ovest) and Alex Lancellotti (Faro Racing), who have both already won this year, will be as challenging as ever, as will Pietro Blumetti (PMA Motorsport) and Andrea Cordini (Oregon Team), who are all determined to move up in the hierarchy.

Austria’s Sandro Soubek (Mair Racing Osttirol) will try to show his speed on a track he knows well. Journalists Paolo Pirovano and Stefano Cordara will share the #333 Clio Cup, which is not eligible for points in the Press League. Italians Luca Franca (MC Motortecnica) and Antonio Benedetto Silvestrini (Progetto E20 Motorsport) will debut at Monza while twin brothers Adrian and Alejandro Schimpf (Cotauto Motorsport) and Frenchman Julien Baziret (Vic’Team) will prepare for future meetings. Lastly, Styve Juif (GM Sport) will try to confirm his successful transition from Clio Rally5 to Clio Cup after his promising debut appearance at Mugello this summer.

The field will be in action from Friday at Monza. The two races, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, will be streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and the Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 7 October
8:30-9 am: Collective test 1
11:10-11:40 am: Collective test 2
4:30-4:50 pm: Qualifying 1

Saturday 8 October
12:30-1:05 pm: Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Youtube | Facebook

Sunday 9 October
8:30-8:50 am: Qualifying 2
13:40-2:15 pm: Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Youtube | Facebook

Entry list