Alpine Elf Cup Series: imminent kick-off to the 2024 season

On the strength of its undeniable success since its rebirth in 2018, the Alpine Elf Europa Cup is now the Alpine Elf Cup Series, establishing itself more than ever as the ideal springboard to the highest levels of GT racing. After witnessing its top drivers shine in GT4 and take on the world of endurance racing, the category is getting ready to see who will be Lorens Lecertua's successor.

THREE FORMER WINNERS AT THE START

The Chazel Technologie Course Junior team, which has won with Lucas Frayssinet and Lorens Lecertua over the last two years, is targeting a third consecutive title. Louis Chazel's team will count on Enzo Geraci, who finished runner-up in 2023 with two victories and eight podium finishes to his credit.

However, the Frenchman isn't the only competitor in the field to have tasted the joys of victory as two other former winners will also be in the mix with Léo Jousset and Pierre Sancinena. Both driving for Race Cars Consulting, they will be particularly motivated to win the title as Léo Jousset will be looking to build on his double victory in the 2023 season finale, while his teammate will be worth keeping a close eye on in his quest for a second title to add to his 2018 crown!

SOME AMBITIOUS JUNIORS

Several Juniors (drivers under 23) will be present from the opening round at Nogaro to try to upset the hierarchy. Chazel Technologie Course Junior, the teams' title holder, has signed up two promising prospects: Tom Verdier, 2021 French Caterham 420R title-winner, and Mattéo Nomblot, Trophée Mitjet France race-winner.

VPS Racing, which Alpine Endurance Team driver Matthieu Vaxiviere founded with Aurélien Panis and Raphaël Serrano, aims to increase its ambitions following its title bid in its first campaign in the discipline. The team has brought back Sami Dhahri and is teaming him up with Charles Roussanne, who won last year's Trophée Mitjet France with the same outfit under the patronage of BWT Alpine F1 Team driver Pierre Gasly.

Other talented contenders have every intention of establishing themselves at the sharp end of the order, such as Enzo Carvalhido (Sport Auto Racing), who comes from TC France, and the protégés of the Schumacher CLRT Racing Team. Among them, Lukas Papin is determined to demonstrate his progress while his teammate Gaspard Simon hopes to confirm his successful transition to car racing by excelling behind the wheel of the A110 Cup.

CHALLENGERS IN SEARCH OF SUCCESS

The Challengers category, introduced last year for drivers aged between 23 and 44 with no significant track record, is enjoying growing success, with competitors from various backgrounds entering the fray.

Rising to prominence in 2023, Thibaut Bossy (Herrero Racing) and Pierre-Laurent Figuière (Chazel Technologie Course) will use their experience to succeed Adrien Catelin. However, they will have to contend with some formidable new adversaries, including Florian Coruble (Chazel Technologie Course Junior), who comes from the Clio Cup and aims to climb the Alpine Racing pyramid as quickly as Léo Jousset.

Sandro Perissoutti (Code Racing Development), who has made a name for himself in the GT4 European Series, is another driver to watch, as is Clément Berlié (VPS Racing), who has competed in Mitjet and GT4. The grid will also feature French Formula 1 commentator Julien Fébreau (Chazel Technologie Course), who will race at Nogaro and Spa-Francorchamps this season.

EXPERIENCED GENTLEMEN

As every year since 2018, the Gentlemen category for drivers aged 45 and over will offer a proper race within the race.

After two editions dominated by Anthony Fournier, the action promises to be ever more competitive. 2020 winner Philippe Bourgois (Race Cars Consulting) will attempt to reclaim the crown, but the Belgian must be wary of Laurent Richard (Herrero Racing), who is more determined than ever after finishing runner-up in 2022 and 2023.

A pillar of the Alpine Elf Cup Series, Pierre Macchi (Schumacher CLRT Racing Team) returns, as does Alain Jacono (Chazel Technologie Course), now boasting a full year of experience in motorsport, and Frédéric De Brabant (Chazel Technologie Course), back after a promising debut at the end of 2023. Coming from the Alpine A110 GT4 ranks from GT4 France, Paul Paranthoën (Code Racing Development) completes the category.

The field will assemble at Nogaro, where the season kicks off for the sixth year running. The drivers and teams will then head to the legendary circuits of Portimão (Portugal) and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). After the summer break, the Alpine Elf Cup Series returns to Barcelona (Spain), then Le Castellet (France) and the season finale at Monza (Italy).

Throughout this European campaign, in which the drivers will share the bill with the top GT championships, they will battle for victory and generous prize packages spread evenly across all the events on the calendar and in all the categories. The future winner will receive a €40,000 stipend to move to GT4. The Junior category champion will take home €15,000, while the Challengers and Gentlemen title winners will each receive €10,000.

The season's opening two races, scheduled for Sunday at 7:15 pm and Monday at 12:35 pm, will be streamed with live commentary on the Alpine Elf Cup Series YouTube channel and Facebook page.

2024 CALENDAR

30 March-1 April: Nogaro (France)
26-28 April: Portimão (Portugal)
31 May-2 June: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
12-14 September: Barcelona (Spain)
4-6 October: Le Castellet (France)
18-20 October: Monza (Italy)

NOGARO - TIMETABLE 

Saturday 30 March

10:45–11:25: Free practice 1
15:50–16:30: Free practice 2

Sunday 31 March

11:50-12:10: Qualifying 1
19:15–19:45: Race 1

Monday 1 April

8:00-8:20: Qualifying 2
12:35–13:05: Race 2