Berkay Impresses in Clio

The 18-year-old young national driver Berkay Besler was at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic on 10-11 June for the first race of the Renault Clio Cup Italia series he will contest this season. Competing with the backing of DYO, Coşkunöz Holding and CMS Jant, Besler took on 20 experienced drivers from four countries in a Renault Clio Cup car prepared by Essercose, in his first circuit experience after karting. In the three races held over the weekend, the young driver took two fourth places and a third place in the Rookie class, and drew particular attention with his fast lap times in the final race, in which he started 16th and crossed the line under the chequered flag in seventh.Signalling that a podium is well within reach in the coming races, Berkay said after the event: "The weekend in Brno, my first experience in a car, went extremely well and was very productive for me. Racing on such a big, wide circuit after karting was of course a little unusual for me. But the adaptation process was short and I believe I showed my best performance. Although an electrical fault in the first race and contact with a rival in the second cost us places in the classification, judging by our performance in qualifying and in the final race, I really gained some very important experience. We have our second race at Monza on 25 June, and looking at the results of our tests, I think I can be on the podium in the next race."
The remaining races of the Renault Clio Cup Italia will be held at the Monza circuit on 25 June, the Misano circuit on 16 July, the Vallelunga circuit on 10 September and the Imola circuit on 1 October.