Filippi resists Vincent’s attack to win again

Mason Filippi claimed a second victory in TC America’s opening round at Austin’s Circuit of Americas. However, today’s race was not a solitary ride like yesterday’s, as Nate Vincent chased the leader throughout the whole distance and finished a close second.
Vincent’s teammate Michael Hurczyn completed the podium beating James Walker on the line by only half-a-second; Alain Lauzière was classified fifth overall and encored his Race 1 success in the DSG Cup.
Filippi made good use of the pole to lead the field into T1; just like in Race 1 Walker tried to use the inside line to move ahead, but failed to pass the Golf GTI cars of Vincent and Hurczyn. Behind them, Christian Cole spun and collected Lauzière.
The safety car was deployed to recover a car of the TCA class and racing resumed on lap 4; Lauzière overtook Bryan Putt for sixth, while Walker recovered the fourth place after losing it to Michael McCann.
On lap 5, Lauzière advanced to fifth overtaking McCann, soon afterwards the latter spun, forcing Putt and Nelson Chan to run wide in avoidance.
The gaps between the top drivers froze for a few laps then, on lap 13, Fillippi got stuck in the traffic of the TCA cars and Vincent closed in, only 0.5 seconds behind with five minutes to go. The Hyundai driver increased his pace and extended his leading margin again to nearly two seconds under the chequered flag.
Walker too was able to go quicker in the final part of the race, reduced his gap from Hurczyn by seven seconds, setting the fastest time of the race (2:20.909) on the last lap, but finished fourth by half-a-second. Lauzière won the DSG Cup from Putt and Chan.
TC America will resume next week, March 8/10 at St. Petersburg’s street circuit, with rounds 3 and 4.

TC America – Race 2
1. Mason Filippi (TFB Perfomance, Hyundai Veloster N) 16 laps
2. Nate Vincent (FCP Euro, Volkswagen Golf GTI) 1.990
3. Michael Hurczyn (FCP Euro, Volkswagen Golf GTI) 11.885
4. James Walker (Risi Competizione, Alfa Romeo Giulietta) 12.432
5. Alain Lauzière (Alphasonic Motorsport, Audi RS 3 LMS DSG) 39.390
6. Bryan Putt (eEuroparts.com ROWE Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS DSG) 46.974

Championship points
1. Filippi 50 pts; 2. Hurczyn 33; 2. Vincent 33; 4. Lauzière 22; 5. Walker 20