While an initial pecking order was set at the opening round at Nogaro, everything remains open since the Magny-Cours track, which usually coincides with the end of the summer hiatus, is only round two of five on the 2020 calendar.

After a pair of victories in the season-opener, Nicolas Milan’s goal will be to extend the streak. With an abundance of experience at Magny-Cours, the five-time category champion intends to use all his knowledge to pull away from David Pouget (GPA Racing). Starting from pole in the first two races, the latter had to make do with two podium finishes, but he will try to take his racing into overdrive to reverse the trend.

Behind the two leaders, an extremely compact chase group is ready to seize upon the smallest opportunity to assert themselves among the contenders for the title.

Kevin Jimenez (GPA Racing) was extremely consistent at Nogaro and will try to confirm his strong running in New Clio Cup with a first podium finish to solidify his place in the general classification top three. But to do so, he will have to overcome some serious customers, among them Thibaut Bossy (TB2S), often quite at home at Magny-Cours, and Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing), who scored a podium result at Nogaro.

Another driver to keep an eye on is Romain Boeckler (BRS Racing Team), who comes with a ton of motivation after his brace of Junior category wins. Dorian Guldenfels (TB2S) is determined to bounce back following a discreet start to his season. Mathieu Lannepoudenx (Milan Compétition) will also try to battle at the head of the field to highlight the progress he has made over the past few years.

Race winner last year at Magny-Cours, Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition) is another driver on the list to watch as he seeks revenge after retiring when he was in contention for the win in the opening race of the season. This mindset will be shared by Corentin Tierce (Milan Compétition) and Doriane Pin (GPA Racing), who came very close to a good result in her first weekend in the Clio Cup France.

In the Gentlemen category, Laurent Dziadus (Team Lucas) and Samuel Chaligne (T2CM) shared the honours at Nogaro, but the former has just a one-point lead from his rival and is only two points ahead of Franck Niclot (GPA Racing). At his home track, or nearly so, Mickaël Carrée (T2CM) will also be gunning for the top step of the podium, while Michel Faye (GM Sport) would like to raise his game after his first go in New Clio Cup.

The Junior category will welcome a new driver with Paul Cocaign (SRD Racing). Taking full advantage of New Clio’s versatility to switch from rallycross to circuit racing, this newcomer will attempt to create a surprise in the bumper-to-bumper battles against Romain Boeckler and Doriane Pin or Julien Barbançon (BRS Racing Team) and Clément Chetcuti (GPA Racing).

Fabien Julia (LR Performance) and Jérémy Bordagaray (T2CM) will also try to close the gap to the front-runners, while the Clio Cup France paddock will host the return of Guillaume Savoldelli (TB2S), who has been in the general classification top ten the past two seasons.

The drivers will have just two practice sessions on Friday before qualifying at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Race one is scheduled to start at twilight Saturday evening and race two will get underway Sunday afternoon. Both races will be aired on the Renault Sport YouTube channel as well as the Renault Sport Series Facebook page.

TIMETABLE

Friday September 11
10h35-11h05 : Private practice
18h35-19h05 : Free-practice

Saturday September 12
10h00-10h20 : Qualifying1
15h10-15h30 : Qualifying2
19h05-19h35 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday September 13
15h05-15h35 : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Provisional entry list