Luca Engstler won the inaugural race of the TCR Middle East Series, while his Liqui Moly Team Engstler teammate and main rival Mat’o Homola spoiled all his chances with a false start that cost him a drive through penalty. It was a great debut for the 16-year old German on his first Touring Car race.
Behind Engstler, Michela Cerruti put in a great show in the Mulsanne Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta. First she stole second place from Filip Sládecka with a great overtaking manoeuvre, then she managed to resist the return of Brandon Gdovic who finished in third.
James Kaye completed the maiden race of the CadSpeed Racing Audi RS 3 LMS that was classified fourth, only a few seconds behind the third, and clocked some promising lap times.
The second race will start at 11:00 local time with Kane Astin’s Red Camel SEAT León in pole position on the reverse grid.
Key facts
Start – Homola moves well before the green light and leads from Ferrara and Engstler
Lap 1 – Homola is under investigation fior a false start; Engstler chases Ferrara for second place; Sládecka and Cerruti follow in fourth and fifth
Lap 2 – Ferrara stops on the track with transmission problems; Gdovic overtakes Goede for fifth
Lap 3 – Homola is given a drive through for jump-start; Engstler inherits the lead; Kaye overtakes Goede for fifth
Lap 4 – Cerruti makes a great move and overtakes Sládecka for second
Lap 6 – Engstler has built a 4-second leading margin, but Cerruti is faster by one tenth per lap
Lap 7 – Gdovic overtakes Sládecka’s for third, Kaye follows them closely in fifth
Lap 9 – Kaye closes in on Sládecka, they make contact and Sládecka spins and then pits
Lap 10 – Gdovic closes in on Cerruti; Homola overtakes Astin for sixth
Lap 12 – Engstler wins with a comfortable margin; Cerruti keeps Gdovic at bay to secure second; Kaye finishes a respectable fourth
