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Eurocup Mégane Trophy

April showers greeted the start of the 2013 Eurocup Megane Trophy season at Motorland Aragon on Friday, though they did not stop Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) and Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team) from shining in the day’s two sessions of collective testing.

Last than three weeks after the last round of collective testing at the Spanish track, the Eurocup Megane Trophy drivers returned as the race to succeed Albert Costa as champion officially got under way. In all 15 racers are in the running for the 2013 title.

Having impressed in pre-season testing, Mike Verschuur was once again in fine form in the day’s opening session, held at lunchtime. The 2009 champion in the discipline put in a last lap of 2:06.824 to edge out compatriot Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur) by 0.8 seconds, with fellow Dutchman Kelvin Snoeks (Oregon Team) behind them. Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz) found some good pace on a slightly damp track early in the session, though it was Steven Palette (Team Lompech Sport) who finally occupied fourth spot behind the Dutch trio.

It did not take long for the times to come tumbling down in the afternoon. Though Erik Janis was quick out of the blocks once again for Gravity Charouz, Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team) took to the top of the timesheets 15 minutes into the session, the Italian consolidating his position just before the halfway point with a lap of 2:02.715. Mike Verschuur, Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) and Erik Janis all gave chase but were unable to beat his time, with rain falling once more as the day’s testing came to an end.

What they said

Mike Verschuur: “It’s really good to be back in Eurocup Megane Trophy after four years away. The car is just phenomenal, amazing, and it’s fantastic to drive. I’ve got a very good team behind me and I can hardly wait for the season to start. I’m very familiar with the track and I hope to be on the podium. It’s looking good after these first few tests and my hopes are high despite the weather.”

Kevin Gilardoni: “I missed the collective testing sessions organised here two weeks ago so this is an especially promising result for me. I just focused on getting to know the car this morning and I wasn’t looking to attack. This afternoon I went well on used tyres but when I wanted to switch to a set of new ones it started to rain. Tomorrow’s qualifying and race will be a lot more important, and I’ll have to score as many points as I can. In terms of the championship it’s essential to start with a good result for the team and for me.”

Toni Forne: “This home meeting is a very important one for me. I hope to pick up some good results and win the gentlemen drivers’ category. My first objective is to be among the top three in qualifying.”

Official Renault Sport Press Release.

Posted: 26 April 2013
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