Comini crowned Eurocup Megane Trophy Champion at Silverstone GP

Swiss racer Stefano Comini capped off his sheer dominance in the 2011 Eurocup Megane Trophy by sealing the championship crown with four races to spare at Silverstone over the weekend (20/21 August).

Two sensational race victories, his eighth and ninth from 10 races contested, ensured the Oregon Team driver cannot be caught at the head of the standings. Furthermore, the success – coupled with second and third place finishes for team-mate Niccolo Nalio – mean Oregon is Team’s Champion in the Michelin-supported category.

Race one at Silverstone served up quite possibly the best lead battle in the history of the Megane Trophy and certainly the best encounter in a British round of the championship. Although on pole position, Comini didn’t get away that well at the start and was third by the end of lap one behind leader Nalio and Bas Schothorst.

Moving up to second past Schothorst at Vale on lap three, just as the Dutchman encountered a problem with his accelerator, Comini latched-on to the tail of Nalio and a battle royal ensued in which the Italian defended superbly from the champion-elect.

Try as he might, Comini couldn’t carve open an opportunity to pass and through the mandatory pitstops Nalio managed to remain ahead. With just 0.4 seconds splitting the pair lap after lap, on the 17th tour Comini finally made his way through with an outstanding move into Stowe. Selling Nalio the perfect dummy, Comini cut back to the inside impossibly late to nose ahead.

Far from a close shave for Comini!

Sunday’s race was more straightforward for Comini although he again had to battle back from a poor start. Schothorst took the early lead but Comini pressured him immensely, eventually slicing past at Brooklands on lap one before taking a comfortable victory and the title in perfect style.

More entertainment was saved for the champion’s podium celebrations when his beard, which he had been growing as a superstition, was shaved off by the Oregon Team!

Commenting on his triumph, the first Swiss national to win the Megane Trophy said: “It’s really fantastic for me, my family and the team. Since halfway through the season I didn’t shave my beard as a superstition – now it’s finished and we’ve won the championship, I shaved it!”