Byrne Bags Magical Monza Podium in Clio Cup Finale

Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year Jack Byrne signed off his season with a first visit to the overall Clio Cup podium as the championship entered its final weekend at Monza.

With mixed weather conditions forecast across the weekend, Byrne used the two free practice sessions to dial himself in for both wet and dry conditions and would qualify in P10 for the opening race of the weekend.

With the race being held in changeable conditions on Saturday afternoon, Byrne set off for the notoriously tricky first chicane at Monza surrounded by 38 Clio Cup drivers. As chaos ensued around him, the Wexford driver picked off five cars to vault himself up to P5 and he set off after the leaders in what was to turn into a thrilling multi-car fight for the win across the next 20 minutes. Having clawed his way into the lead at one stage, he survived a late race skirmish to bring the car home in P3 overall behind fellow GPA Racing drivers David Pouget and Alex Lancellotti to claim a maiden overall podium in the series along with taking another European Junior class win.

Heading into the final race of the season, Byrne had posted a lap time good enough for P5 on the grid in the final qualifying session of the season. Determined to end a tough season on a high he made a great start and was fighting amongst the lead pack until he was the victim of contact with another car which dropped him down into the midpack. He would fight back to cross the line in P14 to take another podium in the Junior cup and secure 3rd overall in the European Clio Cup Junior Series.

Jack Byrne #86 GPA Racing

“I’m absolutely delighted to have finally brought home an overall podium, it’s a fantastic result for all the hard work we have put in over a season where luck hasn’t quite been on our side for the majority of it but that’s the harsh reality of motorsport at times! A huge thanks to the GPA Racing team for preparing a fantastic car all year and of course to my supporters and corporate partners for all their help across the season in making it all possible. The hard work doesn’t stop now as we will be working away at our 2025 programme which will be announced in due course.”

Jack Byrne is supported by Motorsport Ireland | Sport Ireland | O’Brien Cement | West Wales Rally Spares | David Byrne Auto Repairs | Slaney View Motors | Ignite Training and Consultancy