CAUHAUPÉ AND TIRMAN WIN ON RETURN TO COMPETITION AT BARCELONA

Twelve weeks after the previous meeting at Zandvoort, the Alpine Elf Europa Cup was back in action in Barcelona for a round where many contenders hoped to make a significant impact before the last two rounds of the season.

RACE 1: CAUHAUPÉ SHINES IN THE NIGHT

While Paul Cauhaupé set the pace in free practice, Simon Tirman took over in a qualifying session marked by Marc Sevestre's (Autosport GP) off track. In his return to the category, Laurent Hurgon (LSGroup Autosport GP) was second quickest, while Louis Méric (Race Cars Consulting) and Lucas Frayssinet (Chazel Technologie Course) completed the top five.

At nightfall, Simon Tirman was caught out by Laurent Hurgon, but the poleman replied on a first lap that ended Thibaut Bossy’s (Herrero Racing) hopes. After the safety car period, Simon Tirman resisted Laurent Hurgon and Paul Cauhaupé took advantage of the situation to slot in between his two teammates before pressuring the leader until another safety car period to help Frédéric Roy (Chazel Technologie Course) to get out of the gravel trap.

The order at the pointy end of the field remained unchanged at the restart, despite an increasingly restless field. A collision between Louis Maurice (Code Racing Development) and Philippe Bourgois (Chazel Technologie Course) caused a third neutralization. The final sprint then became the scene of a breathtaking duel between Simon Tirman and Paul Cauhaupé, the latter finally taking the lead at the beginning of the last lap before holding off his rival to take his second victory of the season.

Laurent Hurgon completed the podium while Rodolphe Wallgren (Herrero Racing) slipped behind Louis Méric and Lucas Frayssinet due to a penalty for a dangerous return to the track. Jules Gougeon finished seventh ahead of Tim Mérieux (Autosport GP), who was promoted one place at the expense of Gosia Rdest (Chazel Technologie Course) after the race. In his return to the Alpine Elf Europa Cup, Mathieu Blaise (Herrero Racing) dominated the Gentlemen category, winning ahead of Laurent Richard (Herrero Racing) and Stéphane De Groodt (Chazel Technologie Course).

RACE 2: TIRMAN TAKES HIS REVENGE

On Saturday, Simon Tirman was again the fastest in qualifying ahead of Paul Cauhaupé. A little over two hours later, Simon Tirman got off to the best start to hold on to first place ahead of Paul Cauhaupé. Behind them, Lucas Frayssinet passed Matéo Herrero (Herrero Racing) for third place as Laurent Hurgon looked on. However, the safety car quickly came into play, with Pierre Macchi (Patrick Roger Autosport GP) retiring in the opening lap.

Simon Tirman controlled the restart, but the gaps remained tight at the front until the battle for victory took a turn with a five-second penalty for Paul Cauhaupé for a dangerous track return at the start. Nevertheless, Paul Cauhaupé ramped up his pace until a collision between Margaux Verza (Patrick Roger Autosport GP) and Jean-Paul Dominici (Chazel Technologie Course) on lap eight.

Like on Friday, the race resumed for a tension-filled sprint to the chequered flag. Despite the constant pressure, Simon Tirman kept his composure to win, while his teammate was demoted to sixth place after his penalty was applied. Initially fourth, Matéo Herrero also received a penalty for track limits abuse. Lucas Frayssinet and Laurent Hurgon joined Simon Tirman on the podium ahead of Edwin Traynard and Thibaut Bossy. Gosia Rdest took advantage of her solid start to finish seventh, followed by Alexis Garcin, Mathieu Blaise and Tim Mérieux. Mathieu Blaise claimed his second victory among the Gentlemen, ahead of Stéphane De Groodt and Laurent Richard.

With his victory and second place in Barcelona, Simon Tirman takes the lead in the general classification and the Junior category with a two-point advantage over Paul Cauhaupé. Leader before the summer break, Lucas Frayssinet is now third whilst Edwin Traynard is still heading the chasing group. In the Gentlemen category, Anthony Fournier extends his lead over Frédéric Roy to nine points after finishing ahead of his rival twice this weekend.

The Alpine Elf Europa Cup now heads to the penultimate round of its season at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza (Italy) from 23 to 25 September.

QUOTES

Paul Cauhaupé (Race 1 winner)

"It was an excellent weekend! I had never driven at night before Friday. It was strange, but I got a good start by remaining third before passing Laurent. The safety periods made it difficult to manage tyre temperature, but I found the gap to Simon on the last lap. It was a bit more difficult on Saturday with more tyre degradation, but it was a rewarding race despite my penalty. Now I'm going to do some simulator work and training to aim for big points at Monza and the title at Circuit Paul Ricard!"

Simon Tirman (Race 2 winner)

"We did a good job in practice before we got a nice pole position on Friday. Unfortunately, the race was more frustrating with a start at sunset, a lot of safety cars, a finish in the dark and an attack from Paul depriving me of the victory. We fought hard to get the pole position again and I controlled the race from start to finish despite the race incidents. I'm happy with the big point tally this weekend, and I'm now more than ready for Monza, which I think will be decisive for the title."

Mathieu Blaise (Races 1 & 2 Gentleman category winner)

"It's been a year since I last drove in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup, and it was a superb weekend. I enjoyed myself and it's always fantastic to get back behind the wheel of the Alpine A110 Cup. I found myself in a good position starting in the middle of the pack after both qualifying sessions, and the win was there on Friday and Saturday. I'm not sure if I'll be at Monza yet, but for sure, I'll be back for the season finale at Le Castellet!"

CLASSIFICATIONS

Race 1

1. Paul Cauhaupé (Patrick Roger Autosport GP)

2. Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) +0.435s

3. Laurent Hurgon (LSGroup Autosport GP) +1.725s

4. Louis Méric (Race Cars Consulting) +4.004s

5. Lucas Frayssinet (Chazel Technologie Course) +4.203s

Pole position: Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) – 1’57’’417s

Fastet lap of the race: Paul Cauhaupé (Patrick Roger Autosport GP) – 1:57.730s

Race 2

1. Simon Tirman (Autosport GP)

2. Lucas Frayssinet (Chazel Technologie Course) +0.588s

3. Laurent Hurgon (LSGroup Autosport GP) +1.725s

4. Edwin Traynard (Chazel Technologie Course) +3.654s

5. Thibaut Bossy (Herrero Racing) +4.104s

Pole position : Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) – 1:56.150s

Fastet lap of the race: Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) – 1:57.682s

General classification

1. Simon Tirman – 112 points

2. Lucas Frayssinet – 110 points

3. Paul Cauhaupé – 98 points

4. Edwin Traynard – 65 points

5. Rodolphe Wallgren – 61 points…