Tomáš Pekař has proven once again that nothing can stop him from achieving success in the Clio Cup, not even missing races, as he secured another title with a masterful performance in Brno.
Tomáš Pekař from Carpek Racing entered the final event at the Masaryk Circuit in a strong position. He led the drivers‘ standings with a 21-point advantage over Bartek Mirecki from BM Racing. While the Polish driver still had a chance, it would take a great deal of luck to snatch the title from Pekař’s grasp.
Mirecki made his first move towards turning the situation in his favour during qualifying, posting the fastest time and starting from the front row alongside Nikodém Szobczyk. Behind them, the Carpek Racing duo of Tomáš Pekař and David Dziwok lined up.
Mirecki held onto the lead after the start, with his only hope being a victory and for Pekař to encounter some difficulties. However, the Czech team’s orange Clio was soon hot on his heels. After overtaking Szobczyk, Pekař stuck to the rear bumper of the leading Pole, looking for any opportunity to overtake. Midway through the race, Pekař successfully took the lead and held it until the finish. As he crossed the chequered flag, the title was decided. Pekař now had a 26-point lead over Mirecki ahead of the final race, securing the championship.
David Dziwok finished third, with Nik Štefančič in fourth, and Julian Śmiechowski rounding out the top five. Miha Primožič took sixth place, while Szobczyk, who had started from the front row, ended up in seventh. Valter Nežič, finishing eighth, took victory in the Clio Cup Trophy category. In second place was debutant and winner of the F4 CEZ Academy, Martin Knápek, while Marko Kazarka finished third.
The second race was merely about determining who would end the season with a victory, and there was still a battle for third place in the standings between Nik Štefančič and David Dziwok.
Nikodém Szobczyk started from pole position alongside Miha Primožič. The young Szobczyk maintained the lead from the first lap, and when Mirecki appeared behind him, he defended his position. Szobczyk had yet to win this season and was hoping to end his debut Clio Cup season with a well-earned triumph. However, Mirecki dashed his hopes in the final lap. Although Szobczyk attempted to retake the lead, Mirecki held onto first place. Dziwok finished third again, but it wasn’t enough to overtake third Štefančič in the overall standings. Primožič came fourth, followed by Śmiechowski in fifth, and Štefančič in sixth. And Tomáš Pekař? He spent the race battling with those ahead of him, but ultimately finished seventh.
The second race of the Clio Cup Trophy saw Martin Knápek celebrate his first victory, beating Nežič and third-placed Marko Kazarka.
RACE RESULTS
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
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