ENGSTRÖM AND BASOV WIN EXCITING FIRST RACE
The first race of the third FIA European Touring Car Cup
turned to a double win for the Honda drivers.
Tomas Engström from Sweden won both, the overall race
and the Super 2000 class, making a perfect start from pole
position and rejecting the assaults of his competitors. Engström’s
Honda Accord crossed the line first, ahead of Nykjær’s
SEAT, Mörth’s Chevrolet and O’Brien’s
BMW.
The Super Production class produced an all Russian podium,
with Aleksey Basov’s Honda Civic winner from Arkadiy
Pavlovskiy’s Opel and Anton Markin’s BMW.
The Super 1600 class was won by Jens Guido Weimann in a Ford
Fiesta.
ENGSTRÖM TAKES A LIGHTS TO FLAG WIN
From pole position Tomas Engström made a better start
than fellow front row starter Jens Reno Møller and
the latter clashed with Pontus Mörth at the first corner
and slipped down to ninth.
At the end of the first lap Engström was chased by Ceresoli,
with Nykjær third and Mörth fourth.
On lap 3 César Campaniço and Henrik Lundgaard,
who were fighting door to door over 6th place, collided and
finished their race in the gravel trap.
On lap 4 Mörth re-took third position from Nykjær,
while Kristian Pouslen was trying hard to overtake Møller;
Michal Matejovský went off at turn 1.
On lap 6 Philip Geipel overtook Poulsen for 7th and the two
of them continued to fight. A few moments later Geipel collided
with Stefano Valli who slipped down to ninth. At mid distance
Engström started to pull away, stretching his margin
to nearly two seconds ahead of Ceresoli who was chased hard
by Mörth and Nykjær. Mörth hit Ceresoli’s
rear bumper on lap 13, but the Italian managed to stay ahead;
however in the following lap Ceresoli went wide at turn 2
and lost two positions to Mörth and Nykjær. In
the next corner Ceresoli outbraked himself going into the
gravel trap and out of the race while trying to recover the
second place.
With Engström lead safe, Nykjær stole second place
from Mörth on lap 15. Behind them O’Brien’s
fourth position was untouchable, while Alexander Lvov completed
his recovery overtaking Poulsen and P. Geipel to finish fifth.
Møller crossed the line in 8th and claimed pole position
on the reverse grid for the second race.
BASOV WINS SUPER PRODUCTION
Aleksey Basov took the better start and the lead from Anton
Markin and Arkadyi Pavlovskiy.
Poleman Fabio Fabiani was chasing the leading group, but
on the third lap he went off at turn 10 and retired, his BMW
stranded into the gravel trap.
The three Russians continued to fight. Basov was able to
defend his lead, while Markin lost second position to Pavlovskiy
on the 17th lap.
LVOV PENALISED FOR CHANGING THE ENGINE
Sport-Garages’ driver Alexander Lvov jr was dropped
ten positions on the starting grid after the Russian team
changed the engine on his Audi A4. Lvov jr had posted the
25th fastest time in yesterday’s qualifying session
and was therefore dropped to 35th on the grid.
REVELLO WITHDRAWS WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS
Super Production competitor Alessandro Revello withdrew from
the event due to an engine failure.
The Italian’s BMW 320i run by the Gruppo Piloti Forlivesi
team stopped along the track during the qualifying session
with a blown engine after Revello had posted a qualifying
time.
DRIVERS’ QUOTES
Tomas ENGSTRÖM (Honda Accord) – Winner
in Super 2000
“We are not used to standing starts in the Swedish
championship; so I was very focused on the start and was able
to do well. I had a perfectly balanced car which helped me
to resist the pressure from Ceresoli. I was a bit nervous
about the tyres so I didn’t push as hard as I could.
For the second race it will be tough into the first corner
but I want to survive and then go fight for the race.”
Michel NYKJÆR (SEAT León) – 2nd
in Super 2000
“I got a good start but like Tomas I am not used to
Standing starts and it is a bit more difficult. I’m
pleased with my second place and in the second race anything
can happen. I will try to win but it will be difficult.”
Pontus MÖRTH (Chevrolet Lacetti) – 3rd
in Supèr 2000
“My aim at the start was to keep O’Brien’s
BMW behind me. I think it was an exciting race. Race 2 will
be more difficult. I will have to overtake and get as many
points as possible.”
Aleksey BASOV (Honda Civic) – Winner in Super
Production
“I got a good start and I was pleased that there were
Super 2000 class cars behind me, as they protected me from
my Super Production competitors. For the second race I will
try to make another good start.”
Arkadiy PAVLOVSKIY (Opel Astra Coupé) –
2nd in Super Production
“At some parts of the circuit I was faster than Markin
and in other parts he was faster. But my car was very fast
and helped me to overtake him. I am in second place now and
want to try a fight for the title.”
Anton MARKIN (BMW 320i) – 3rd in Super Production
“It was a very tough first race. I think that Basov,
Pavlovskiy and I are equally competitive and have the same
chances to claim the Cup.”
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