Team Pyro’s Josh Files hopes to consolidate on his sensational Renault Eurocup Clio debut when the championship joins the World Series by Renault (WSR) programme on Belgium’s classic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this weekend (1-2 June)
Files, aged 22, stunned the Eurocup competition when the 2013 season blasted into life at Italy’s evocative Imola circuit three weeks ago.
The Norwich-based racer set the pace from the outset and stormed to his maiden race win and a second place to take the initiative in the overall championship standings.
The next port of call for the Eurocup Clio Championship is the spectacular Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which hosts Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2013 campaign (1-2 June).
The historic venue carves its way through the magnificent scenery of the Ardennes Forest in the Belgian province of Liège and legendary corners like Eau Rouge – the steep left-right-left sweeper with a blind summit – the double-apexed Pouhon and the flat-out Blanchimont turn, all combine to make Spa one of the greatest and most formidable race tracks in the world.
After an awe-inspiring debut in the ultra-competitive Eurocup Clio Championship, Files refuses to underestimate the steep learning curve he faces in mastering Spa, particularly as the circuit is also renowned for having its own unpredictable microclimate.
“The most ideal situation would be to continue taking podiums and race wins, but I don’t have any expectations for this weekend or in fact the entire season,” said Files. “I’ll go into free practice targeting top ten finishes with the view of only move forwards from there. That’s the idea for every race weekend and I think it’s a realistic objective.
“I’ve never been to Spa and I’m sure the weather will make it even trickier; we’re more than likely to see some rain and I won’t have a clue where the optimum wet racing line is. On the bright side, I don’t think many of the Eurocup runners have much experience in the wet.”
Round 3 of the 2013 Eurocup Clio Championship gets under way at 17.10 on Saturday (1 June), with Round 4 scheduled to take place on Sunday from 16.20.
For more information on the Renault Eurocup Clio Championship, visit the World Series by Renault website.
In addition, updates on Josh Files’ racing activities can be found on the officialwww.joshfiles.co.uk website, on his Facebook page or by following @JoshFiles on Twitter.