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Nick Catsburg with sights set on Spa

To complete their preparation, the competitors in this season’s Eurocup Mégane Trophy just spent two days of collective testing at the Valencia circuit, in Spain. Nick Catsburg (TDS Racing) pulled off the best absolute time of these tests and goes into the season with plenty of confidence. On aggregate over the two days, he finishes ahead of Bas Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing), and Stefano Comini (Oregon Racing).

Just a few days after their collective testing at Motorland Aragón, the Eurocup Mégane Trophy drivers met up at the Valencia track for two more days, the last two before the season gets underway. Pierre Thiriet (TDS Racing) was back in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy peloton. Giovanni Seminara (Oregon Team) and Bernard Delhez (Boutsen Energy Racing) were also taking part. Grégoire Demoustier (Team Lompech Sport) joined the line-up too for a try-out behind the wheel of Mégane Trophy.

The pecking order that had emerged at Motorland Aragón was back in evidence from the first session here. Nick Catsburg, Stefano Comini and Bas Schothorst went to the top of the standings. Stefano Comini was in first place for much of the first session, but Nick Catsburg took over the leadership with his last flying lap and that’s how things stayed. With his time of 1’39’’418, the driver for TDS Racing ended the morning in the lead, ahead of Stefano Comini, Bas Shothorst and Hoevert Vos (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), first of the Gentlemen Drivers.

The standings for the second session were decided early in the afternoon. Dimitri Enjalbert went to the top of the timing screens, with a lap time of 1’39’’634 and then carried on with his development work. Bas Schothorst joined him at the top of the screens in second place. However, reactions came from Nick Castburg and Stefano Comini. Without equalling his performance of the morning, Nick Catsburg once again claimed the fastest lap of the session, in 1’39’’537, ahead of Dimitri Enjalbert. Stefano Comini finished third, followed by Bas Schothorst and Niccolo Nalio (Oregon Team).

On Monday morning, Nick Catsburg put his brand on the session once again. The Dutchman took advantage of good track conditions to go on the hunt for an early quick lap. His second attempt, with new tires, did the trick: 1’38’’566. This was the best performance of either day, and the only lap time below the 1’39 mark. Bas Schothorst tried to follow Catsburg, pulling out a 1’39’’157, and Stefano Comini was also on the pace in third place.

The afternoon was an altogether calmer affair. Dimitri Enjalbert produced the quickest lap with a 1’40’’970, ahead of David Dermont and Stefano Comini. So Nick Catsburg walked away from these two days with the best time under his belt, and all fired up for the first meeting of the season in Eurocup Mégane Trophy. This will be at Spa-Francorchamps, starting April 30.

Quote, unquote:

Nick Catsburg: “It’s a very technical track, and I feel really good here. It was very quick this morning. I can’t wait to be at Spa now: that's my favourite circuit. It would be ideal if I could win at Spa… after that, my aim is to be in the top three in Eurocup Mégane Trophy 2010…”.

Bas Schothorst: “The same as at Motorland Aragón, I was trying out a lot of setups. I’m still getting the feel of the car. I’m a long way from getting 100 % out of it yet. It’s not going to be simple, starting off at Spa-Francorchamps directly. This race will take a lot of good preparation. My aim will be to be on the podium.”

Dimitri Enjalbert: “We’re here to work on the car’s behaviour. The most important thing is to be ready and be quick at Spa! This is my fourth season in Eurocup Mégane Trophy, and I want to win this discipline. I love the car and I know it very well now. I’m pretty optimistic even if I know it will be tough.”

Official Renault Sport Press Release

Posted: 29 March 2010
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