SUPERSIDE – Ellis/Clement lead the World Cup but are not yet champions.
(Foto: @kezman.photography)
The Superside World Cup is visiting the Estoril Circuit to complete the last race on the calendar and just like in 2022, emotions are guaranteed given the uncertainty about who will be the World Champion.
With 50 points at stake in the Portuguese stage, the championship leaders, Team ELLIS/CLEMENT, and current holders of the world title also won in Estoril last season and precisely in the last race of the year, head to the sports weekend with a 22-point advantage over its main rivals, TOM/BEN BIRCHALL’s Wyckham Blackwell by Birchall. To retain the title, Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clements only need to win the first race on Saturday.
After completing the first timed training session on Saturday, ELLIS/CLEMENT set the 2nd time overall (2:04.996s) and left good indications regarding the revalidation of the title, even more so given that rivals TOM/BEN were only 5th (2: 06.043s). The best time went to the current 4th placed in the World Championship, TOM/SAM CHRISTIE with an impressive 2:04.996s on a difficult track given the heavy rain that was felt during the morning.
With the track drying out for the 2nd timed session, times dropped and this time it was 6th overall in the world, PÄIVÄRINTA / SCHMIDT from Bonovo Action taking the best time with 1:48.609s. ELLIS/CLEMENT are once again 2nd overall. TOM/BEN BIRCHALL improved their position with the 3rd time and continued to dream of the world title.
Once the timings were consolidated, Pole Position for Race 1 of the last stage of the Superside World Championship was in the hands of PÄIVÄRINTA / SCHMIDT with 1:48.609s. Sharing the front row of the grid are the current world champions and championship leaders ELLIS/CLEMENT. Third position for the duo TOM/BEN BIRCHALL.
With the Estoril route setting all the decisions, everything is open for Race 1 of the WC SUPERSIDE
Circuito Estoril