Team Pyro’s Josh Files’ chief objective is to reduce his points deficit to Massimiliano Pedala in the Renault Eurocup Clio Championship standings during Rounds 7 and 8 of the hotly-contested 2013 season at Circuit Paul Ricard in Southern France (28-29 September).
The 5.8km Circuit Paul Ricard sits on the Cote d’Azur in the South of France and provides a magnificent backdrop for Rounds 7 and 8 of the Eurocup Clio Championship.
At the mid-point of the season, the Norwich-domiciled Files lies second on the leaderboard, 16 points adrift of Composit Motorsport's Pedala after being hampered by a baffling intermittent turbo problem at Austria’s Red Bull Ring in July.
The issues became more debilitating as the weekend progressed, although Files drove his ailing Team Pyro contender on the ragged edge to seal a mesmerising podium finish.
The 22-year old Briton’s determination and skill ultimately kept him in the title hunt and his priority is to remain well within striking distance of the championship lead as the 2013 Eurocup Clio season enters its second half.
Files acknowledges that he faces an uphill struggle at Paul Ricard, where many of his chief title rivals are well-versed, but vows to resolutely chase pole positions, podium finishes and race wins at the Castellet-based venue.
“With Paul Ricard, it’s the same scenario as ever,” said Files. “I have never been there, while two of the hardest chargers – Nicolas Milan and Eric Tremoulet – are very quick, very French and know the track inside out. They will be hard to beat, but my main target has to be finishing ahead of Massimiliano Pedala to bring down my points deficit. A race win would be fantastic, but what I’d really like is a pole position – it’s something I’m yet to achieve.
“Team Pyro has made a lot of inroads with the cars, overcoming various problems and this weekend will be a crucial juncture in the 2013 season. The team has been working hard on developing the Eurocup Clio and believes it has solved the bizarre turbo problems we experienced in Austria. I drove like a mad man at the Red Bull Ring and it’s not the way to win a championship title, so we can’t afford for it to happen again.”
Renault Eurocup Clio Championship qualifying will begin at 9.35 on Saturday (28 September). Rounds 7 and 8 are scheduled for 9.25 and 17.15 respectively on Sunday (29 September).
For more information on Josh Files' racing activities, please visit the official www.joshfiles.co.uk website, 'like' his Facebook page or follow @JoshFiles on Twitter.