Kevin Ceccon survives to win Vallelunga’s eventful Race 2
Kevin Ceccon drove his Aggressive Team Italia’s Hyundai i30 N to an outstanding victory in TCR Italy’s second race at Vallelunga, where many of the competitors had troubles in saving the front tyres on a scorching hot tarmac.
At the start, Mattias Vahtel made good use of the pole position and led the field, followed by his ALM Motorsport teammate Ruben Volt who kept at bay Ceccon, Michele Imberti, Antti Buri, Salvatore Tavano, Eric Brigliadori and Nicola Baldan.
During the first lap, Igor Stefanovski went wide at the Cimini bend and rejoined in 12th position.
Vahtel pulled away, while Volt kept on defending the second place from Ceccon, although he knew he would receive a three-second penalty for a wrong position on the grid; behind them Buri was chasing Imberti for P4, with Tavano holding on to the sixth place ahead of Brigliadori, Baldan and Evgenii Leonov.
In lap 7, Buri overtook Imberti for fourth at the Cimini and moments later Volt made a mistake, losing second to Ceccon. One lap later, Tavano passed Imberti as well, moving into P5. Volt’s Honda continued to lose positions and eventually the young Estonian pitted at the end of lap 9 to replace a flat front tyre.
The next to give up was Leonov, who too pitted with a flat tyre while he was placed in eighth position, chasing Brigliadori and Baldan.
In lap 13, Tavano tried to pass Buri who managed to keep him behind; one lap later it was Vahtel who pitted with a flat front tyre handing the lead to Ceccon. A similar problem hit Stefanovski who went off in the gravel from P7, prompting the safety car into action.
The green flag was waved for a couple of thrilling final laps. Ceccon rejected the assault from Buri who was closely chased by Tavano. In lap 7, Brigliadori dived to the inside of Imberti at the hairpin and moved into P4; Baldan benefited from the situation and passed Imberti in the Roma bend. During the final lap, Baldan pushed Brigliadori wide at the hairpin and took fourth behind Ceccon, Buri and Tavano. However, after the race he was demoted to fifth behind Brigliadori.
These results meant that Brigliadori’s leading margin in the standings was cut to seven points only ahead of Buri, while Ceccon climbed to third a further six points behind. Tavano and Baldan are also in contention for the title as they are placed fourth and fifth with gaps of 21 and 29 points respectively.
The championship will resume at Imola on July 23/25.
Vallelunga – Race 2
1. Kevin Ceccon (Aggressive Team Italia, Hyundai i30 N), 18 laps
2. Antti Buri (Target Competition, Hyundai i30 N), 0.788
3. Salvatore Tavano (Scuderia del Girasole, CUPRA Leon Competición), 1.397
4. Eric Brigliadori (BF Motorsport, Audi RS 3 LMS), 3.551
5. Nicola Baldan (Target Competition, Hyundai i30 N), 3.590
Championship points
1. E. Brigliadori 205 pts; 2. A. Buri 198; 3. K. Ceccon 192
Picture: ACI Sport
