Originally scheduled to be a Franco-Spanish shared finale, the Catalan stop on the calendar will now be the penultimate round for the Clio Cup France, one week before the final confrontation at Circuit Paul Ricard, which replaces the cancelled Lédenon round.

Thanks to his two wins and five podium finishes, the leader of the general classification Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) can take a first step towards the title if he can extend his lead. While he has his sights set on a sixth title in France, he might be tempted to play it safe as he is in a good position to win the Clio Cup Spain title against David Pouget (GPA Racing) and Isidro Callejas (Chefo Sport).

Also entered in both Clio Cups, David Pouget will try to defend his Spanish title and maintain his chances for a first crown in France. The Albi native scored a double last year in Catalunya and would like to do it again with New Clio Cup to make up ground to the leader and move ahead of Corentin Tierce (Milan Competition) and Anthony Jurado (Milan Competition), who have already scored race wins this year.

Thibaut Bossy (TB2S) has also been racing both in France and Spain. He will try to keep moving up the order in the general classification after becoming the first to put an end to the dominance of Milan Compétition in the Clio Cup France. This ambition could however be thwarted by Mathieu Lannepoudenx (Milan Compétition), who is determined to join his team-mates as a race winner this season, and Kévin Jimenez (GPA Racing), who has taken his racing to the next level this season.

In the Junior category, Romain Boeckler (BRS Racing Team) will have his chance to clinch the title while measuring himself against Spain’s brightest hopefuls, including Isidro Callejas, who has already secured this crown in Clio Cup Spain. In the Gentlemen category, Mickaël Carrée (T2CM) could ensure his re-conquest of the title, but Laurent Dziadus (Team Lucas) would like to prevent that while Franck Niclot (GPA Racing), Fabien Rivals (GPA Racing) and Michel Faye (GM Sport) will be aiming for a first win in the category.

Following his most successful weekend, Jérémy Bordagaray (T2CM) will look to confirm in a strong field where Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) returns, just like Florian Briché (BRS Racing Team), after a three-year absence and Valentin Simonet (GPA Racing), who was runner-up in the AM category of the FFSA French GT Championship last year, will make his Clio Cup France debut.

The Spaniards will be eager to impress on home soil to remain the drivers to beat in their country.

In addition to Isidro Callejas, some tough contenders should be able to join the fight at the front. This will be the case of 2017 title-winner Alex Royo (Team VRT) but also Jordi Palomeras (TB2S), who took two top three finishes last year at Barcelona, or experienced Joaquin Rodrigo (Vearsa Sport) and Javier Cicuendez (Team VRT). The young guard won’t be outdone with the presence of Ivan Hernandez, Nico Abella and Ivan Riera with Chefo Sport, but also Adrian and Alejandro Schimpf at Cota Automocion.

The field will have two practice sessions to find their marks with New Clio Cup at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before a qualifying session and race on Saturday, then on Sunday. Both races will be aired on the Renault Sport YouTube channel as well as the Renault Sport Series Facebook page.

TIMETABLE

Friday November 13
17h05-17h35 : Private practice

Saturday November 14
9h50-10h20 : Free-practice
12h30-12h50 Qualifying 1
15h40-16h10 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday November 15
9h00-9h20 : Qualifying 2
12h35-13h05 : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Entry list