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HAHN DENIES EARLY CHAMPIONSHIP WIN DESPITE KISS VICTORY
In terms of winning the championship early, Norbert Kiss did everything he needed to, winning Race One, but Jochen Hahn’s fourth place confirmed the title won’t be decided today.
An early battle between Kiss and second-placed Sascha Lenz had looked like the German had the advantage dipping under the Dunlop Bridge, but it was Kiss who was ahead as they joined the Bugatti portion of the circuit. As is expected of Kiss once he is in clean air, the Hungarian disappeared down the road, crossing the finish line with an almost seven second lead.
Although he won and Hahn finished down in fourth, behind Antonio Albacete who completed the podium, the ten points received by Kiss’ closest championship rival means that, even if Kiss does win Race Two, the championship battle will continue into tomorrow.
Adam Lacko had a quiet race to fifth after losing fourth off the start to Hahn. It was behind him where the action and drama played out.
Albeit starting in tenth after having his fastest Super Pole time deleted for track limits infringements, Jamie Anderson was on the back of his Promoter’s Cup rival Téo Calvet within the first three laps. It was a clean overtake for the class victory as Anderson used the changing directions of the Dunlop section to optimise his line and get the switch back on the home favourite. The pair raced close but fair, keeping the packed grandstands on the edge of their seats as the two whizzed past.
Once Anderson was in clean air, it was an easy drive to take the Promoters’ Cup win ahead of Calvet, who remained second in class, seventh overall. On the track it was José Rodrigues, who came across the line third and eighth overall, but over speeding gained him a ten second penalty at the end of the race, dropping him to fourth in class, 11th overall. The penalty promoted André Krusim, Shane Brereton, and Stefan Faas, with the British driver taking third on the Promoter’s Cup podium.
John Newell came from the back of the grid to finish 12th ahead of Clemens Hecker, with Steffi Halm becoming the only retiree of the race. After having had contact earlier in the race that damaged her rear wheel covers, she was put out of the race by heavy contact with Hecker. Halm was ahead when Hecker dove down the inside for an opportunistic move and connected with the #44 IVECO. Hecker was deemed to be at fault and was handed a drive through penalty whilst Halm failed to finish the race.
Race Two will see Kursim take reverse pole ahead of Promoter’s Cup rivals Calvet and Anderson.
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