Files wins from local boys van Lagen and Kroes
Josh Files completed a spotless performance in Zandvoort’s Race 2, claiming his and Honda’s first victory in the TCR Europe Series. The Briton took a perfect start from fourth on the grid, stole the lead from Jens Reno Møller after a few hundred metres and never looked back.
The drivers behind him put in a great show, as they were involved in a series of tough fights for the positions. Local boys Jaap van Lagen and Danny Kroes claimed well deserved podium results, finishing second and third respectively.
Van Lagen elbowed his way through the field from ninth on the grid to second in eight laps; afterwards he tried to close the gap from Files, but to no avail. As for Kroes who had started from the pole, he clenched his teeth and managed to keep a charging Attila Tassi at bay. During the final lap they made contact, swapped positions and paints, but eventually Kroes was tougher and retained the third position.
Yesterday’s Race 1 winner Mikel Azcona grabbed a sixth place that helped him to join Dušan Borković on top of the standings on equal points; Files moved up to third, 16 points adrift.
The TCR Europe will resume at Spa-Francorchamps on June 8th to 10th.
Key fact
Grid – Barr is missing after his Hyundai was wrecked in the crash at the start of yesterday’s Race 1
Start – Møller starts first, followed by Files, Kroes and Nagy
Lap 1 – Files and Kroes overtake Møller; Richard overtakes Nagy for fourth; Borković pits and rejoins
Lap 2 – Richard overtakes Møller for third, Van Lagen and Nagy make contact at the Tarzan bend; van Lagen takes fifth
Lap 3 – Van Lagen overtakes Møller for fourth
Lap 4 – Tassi and Nagy clash at the Tarzan bend; Nagy slips to eighth between Tassi and Azcona; Nagy and Paulsen collide at Turn 8, the latter crashes
Lap 5 – Van Lagen puts the pressure on Richard; Mora overtakes Abreu for ninth
Lap 6 – Van Lagen overtakes Richard for third
Lap 7 – Tassi overtakes Møller for fifth
Lap 8 – Van Lagen overtakes Kroes for second; Azcona overtakes Møller for sixth; Mora overtakes Nagy for eighth
Lap 9 – Tassi overtakes Richard for fourth
Lap 11 – Files increases his leading margin to five seconds; Tassi is chasing Kroes
Lap 12 – Kroes closes the door at the Tarzan and keeps Tassi behind
Lap 14 – Files wins from van Lagen; Kroes retains third position after a tough fight with Tassi; Richard and Azcona finish fifth and sixth
