The third TCR Russia event was held at Nizhniy Novgorod, where Nikolay Karamyshev won the first race in the Lukoil Racing SEAT, while TAIF Motorsport’s Dmitry Bragin claimed victory in Race 2. The reigning champion – who has swapped his Audi RS3 LMS a SEAT León – took the lead in the championship with a margin of 14 points ahead of Lukoil Racing’s Aleksey Dudukalo.
Race 1, on Saturday started under a light rain that did not affect the course of events, except for the spin of Grigoryev at the first corner. Karamyshev kept the advantage of the pole, taking the lead ahead of Dudukalo and Bragin. Soon, the Lada Vesta cars became the show-makers, with Sheshenin taking second by lap 2 and starting to threaten the leader, while Ladygin, who had passed Gavrilov, began fighting with Golikov for fifth. The Lada, though, would have to wait until lap 8 to get through.
In the meantime, Karamyshev had managed to retake some breathing space from Sheshenin, while Dudukalo had passed Bragin for third. In lap 12, Ladygin passed Bragin as well. The reigning champion lost two more positions, to Golikov and Gavrilov, to finish 7th.
Race 2 – There were a number of contacts as drivers fought for positions at the start; three of the four Lukoil Racing drivers clashed: Golikov, Karamyshev and Dudukalo. The latter dropped at the back of the field, while Tolkachev was involved, spun and had to pit for repairs.
Bragin took the lead, while the battle raged behind him. Dudin, Gavrilov and Ladygin fought for the second position throughout the race, swapping paints and hitting each other. The same did Sheshenin and Karamyshev for sixth. At the back of the field, Dudukalo had to play tough to overtake Shigabutdinov for eighth.
Bragin won from Dudin who kept at bay both Gavrilov and Ladygin.
The TCR Russia will resume at Kazan on June 1/2.
