Luca Engstler masters the rain at Sepang

In TCR Malaysia’s second race at Sepang International Circuit, Luca Engstler and his Liqui Moly Team Engstler Hyundai i30 N claimed an authoritative victory in difficult weather conditions. On a flooded track, the young German driver was able to recover from eighth on the reverse grid, beating Indigo Racing’s Charlie Kang who completed a brilliant 1-2 finish for Hyundai. Kai Jordan completed the podium in his Volkswagen Golf GTI.
It was pouring when the field reached the grid and two cars were missing: Théo Coicaud’s Hyundai, stopped by an electric issue in Race 1, and the Maximum Racing Honda Civic FK2 of David Lau. The race was delayed and the cars were sent back to the pit lane, hoping for a weather improvement. Eventually action started with a 90-minute delay, behind the safety car and under heavy rain.
The safety car pulled into the pits after three laps and pole sitter Douglas Khoo was soon passed by Jordan, Adam Khalid, Kang and Engstler. Then Kang and Engstler moved up to second and third, overtaking Khalid. On lap 5, Huff overtook Khoo for fifth and in the following lap Engstler took the lead passing Kang and Jordan one after the other.
As the German driver pulled away, Jordan and Kang made contact in lap 8 and the Korean moved up to second. Another collision occurred between Martin Ryba and Khoo who were fighting for sixth; Ryba dropped to eighth and then Paul Ip overtook Khoo for sixth.
Engstler was victorious with a 12-second margin over Kang who won the Cup class, while Jordan was able to reject Khalid’s assault to finish third overall.
TCR Malaysia will resume Saturday for rounds 3 and 4, with a one-day event, again at Sepang.

TCR Malaysia – Race 2
1) Luca Engstler (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Hyundai i30 N TCR), 11 laps
2) Charlie Kang (Indigo Racing, Hyundai i30 N TCR), 12.608
3) Kay Jordan Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR), 18.646
4) Adam Khalid (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR), 19.168
5) Rob Huff (TeamWork Motorsport, Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR), 27.079
6) Paul Ip (KCMG, Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR), 32.356

Championship points
1. Engstler 54 pts; 2. Huff 33; 3. Jordan 25; 4. Khalid 20; 5. Kang 19; 6. Ryba 19.