Formula Renault 2.0 Alps set for round 2 at Imola
Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS set for round 2 on the Imola track on the upcoming weekend (May 11-12). After the debut in Vallelunga with 36 cars on track and an international entry list, in the Santerno circuit the already announced JD Motorsport will enter the Series with the Venezuelan Juan Branger and the Polish Jakub Dalewski, while Brixia Horse Power by Facondini Racing will line-up a car for Andrea Baiguera.
In Vallelunga the rulers were the Prema drivers (one win each for the Brazilan Bruno Bonifacio and the Italian Antonio Fuoco, current championship leader just ahead of the other team mate Luca Ghiotto capable of a fifth and a second overall), in Imola there will be plenty a variables. Starting from a pretty much crowded grid with 37 cars, including the one of Koiranen GP Nyck de Vries, this year involved also in Eurocup and among the protagonists of the first round where he ruled the free practices and managed a fourth in Race 1.
Spotlights also on the two Frenchmen driving for Tech1 Racing Pierre Gasly, third in the season standing one point behind Ghiotto after having scored a 3rd position in Vallelunga Race 1, and Matthieu Vaxiviere - a fifth place for him so far. Still in top positions also the other French William Vermont, top dog for Arta Engineering.
Among the rookies, showing some good skills in the first Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS round, there were the Scottish Gregor Ramsay and the Japanese Ukyo Sasahara, both with Euronova Racing. On the home track great focus for BVM Racing, lining up once more the Italian Dario Capitanio and the Indian Parth Ghorpade, respectively seventh and ninth in Vallelunga. Among the other Italians watch out for Kevin Gilardoni (GSK Grand Prix) and the other Rome driver Alberto Di Folco (Team Torino Motorsport), both already close to the top-10.
There will be overall different teams, with Interwetten.com Racing Team, Jenzer Motorsport, SMP Racing by Koiranen GP, TS Corse and Viola Formula Racing completing the grid.
On Friday the first green lights with three free sixty minutes free practice sessions. On Saturday, from 10.15 to 1.45 and from 10.50 to 11.20 the single qualifying session for the competitors that will be as usual splitted into two groups. Race 1 (25 minutes plus a lap) will start in the afternoon at 17.20 with live web coverage on www.renaultsportitalia.it. Race 2 is scheduled for Sunday at 13.30. As for Race 1 (and the qualifying session) this race too will be live on the web.
Standing after 2 races (top-10): 1. Antonio Fuoco ITA (Prema Powerteam) 43; 2. Luca Ghiotto ITA (Prema Powerteam) 28; 3. Pierre Gasly FRA (Tech1 Racing) 27; 4. Bruno Bonifacio BRA (Prema Powerteam) 25; 5. Guilherme Silva BRA (Koiranen GP) 23; 6. Nyck de Vries NED (Koiranen GP) 12; 7. Matthieu Vaxiviere FRA (Tech1 Racing) 10; 8. Ukyo Sasahara JAP (Euronova Racing), William Vermont FRA (Arta Engineering) 8; 10. Dario Capitanio ITA (BVM Racing), Gregor Ramsay GBR (Euronova Racing) 6.