From Friday to Sunday, at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, two of the most sought-after series at national level said goodbye to the sponsors of the Xmotors team, always supported by La Superba, and put themselves in the spotlight.
He was looking for an epilogue that would allow him to look to the future with greater optimism and so it was for Mauro Trentin, who did well, to make the most of his Cupra Leon TCR DSG under the Bolza Corse brand with a great winning performance, third place in the TCR Italy category.
The driver from Carmignano di Brenta, who rediscovered a circuit with which he was friends at the beginning of the season, once again performed at a high level, securing two second places in the TCDS, which proved crucial to the economics of a championship that has everything other than important is considered, confirmation among the protagonists.
“We’re not back to the times we were at the beginning of the year, but we’re pretty close,” says Trentin, “and we worked really hard this weekend. It wasn’t as good as at the start of the season, but the trip to Imola is still positive. We have reduced the distance for the first time and increased the distance from those who pursued us. So we are talking about two podium places that were not achieved by grace, but that we achieved on the field. It was a difficult season at a high level with fourteen DSGs at the start and always very close races. Did we expect more? Yes, but this ending brings morality for the future. Many thanks to my partner Mara, my family and children, my brother Denis and Stefano, who did everything to support me. Last but not least, we would like to thank Francesco Stefan from the Xmotors team, who never shows up but is always there. Thanks also to Giovanni and all the partners this season.”
Same context, but ends with a bitter pill in the Mini Challenge for Filippo Fant, who was involved in the final part of the championship with the CZ Bassano Racing Mini JCW Challenge Evo.
The driver from Belluno got off to a great start in his first solo weekend after the injury of his cockpit partner Roberto Gentili in the first race and fought on an equal footing with series leader Zanin, only to fall victim to contact at the end with Maccari losing a few positions and came fourth.
Silvestrini’s retirement kept him in contention for the bottom step of the podium in the single-make championship, only having to make up three points at the end of Saturday.
The final challenge of the year, held on Sunday, confirmed that Fant was in great form, good at launching the attack at the right time and finishing third at the checkered flag before being handed a five-second penalty.
A prank that gave him a final fourth place in the race and series and made his absolute debut in Mini Challenge Evo, limited in part by being the best rookie of 2023.
“Although I had a weekend all to myself,” says Fant, “the changing weather conditions did not allow me to make the most of it.” I suffered a little from the excessive traffic in qualifying, while I had an excellent one in the first race took off and entered into a battle for the lead with Zanin. It’s a shame about Maccari’s advance, but given Silvestrini’s withdrawal it was fine. In the second race I started from the back and knew it wouldn’t be easy to get to the front, but I didn’t give up and fought my way to fourth place. I was behind my direct competitor for the championship podium and after watching him for a long time, I managed to overtake him on the last lap. It seemed done, the podium was ours, but race management called me back and gave me a five second penalty for contact, which I thought was unfair. I can only be happy with my first season in the world of automobiles, a year full of satisfaction and emotions despite my inexperience. Thanks to the Xmotors team, CZ Bassano Racing, my teammate Roberto and all the partners who made this all possible. We will work to be competitive for the title next year.”
