Polish wins for Semerád and Groszek in TCR Eastern Europe

Petr Semerád and Bartosz Groszek were the dominant forces in TCR Eastern Europe’s Polish event at Poznán. They equally shared race victories and second places, results that place them on top of the standings. Winning the second race on his home ground, Groszek has retained the lead, but Semerád lies only seven points behind him.

In Qualifying, Semerád set the pole, three tenths faster than Petr Čížek. They led the field at the start, with Groszek advancing from P4 on the grid to third and then overtaking Čížek for second. During the first lap, the fifth-placed Sanel Ćehić spun off and his Audi rolled, which prompted the safety car into action. When racing resumed, Semerád rejected an attempt from Groszek and pulled away; further behind Milenko Vuković defended the fourth place from Václav Janík and Sebastian Steibel. Positions froze for the remainder of the race, with Semerád claiming his maiden win in the championship ahead of Groszek and Čížek. 

Steibel was on pole for Race 2 but stalled at the start, Janík and Vuković made contact into T1, but kept on leading ahead of Groszek who had passed Čížek for third. In lap 2, Vuković and Groszek moved up one place each as they both passed Janík. Vuković was struggling to keep Groszek behind and in lap 6 he made a mistake and lost the lead to the local hero. As Groszek opened a gap, Vuković was chased by Čížek and Semerád; in lap 13, Vuković went wide with a flat front tyre and limped to the pits, Semerád seized the opportunity to pass Čížek for second. Then the latter lost the third position to Janík as he also suffered from a flat tyre during the final lap.

The championship will next visit Croatia on 22/24 July to race at Grobnik.

Poznán – Race 1
1. Petr Semerád (Janík Motorsport, Hyundai i30 N), 15 laps
2. Bartosz Groszek (Aditis Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS), 6.833
3. Petr Čížek (Fullinrace Academy, CUPRA Leon Competición), 13.556

Poznán – Race 2
1. Bartosz Groszek (Aditis Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS), 16 laps
2. Petr Semerád (Janík Motorsport, Hyundai i30 N), 4.047
3. Václav Janík (Janík Motorsport, Hyundai i30 N), 11.159

Championship points
1. B. Groszek, 107 pts; 2. P. Semerád 100; 3. M. Vuković 72 

Picture: TCR Eastern Europe