Motegi, Race 2: Monteiro scores in the WTCC for Honda at home
Valente resisted early pressure from Yvan Muller to take second
Victory for Honda driver Tiago Monteiro in the second JVC KENWOOD WTCC Race of Japan rounded out a thrilling weekend of racing at Twin Ring Motegi.
Monteiro snatched the lead from pole-sitter Hugo Valente on the charge to turn one to take a comfortable second win of 2015.
“I am so pleased, I have so many people to hank at the home race for Honda,” said Monteiro, who celebrated WTCC start number 200 in race one. “I had an early setback but the car was so competitive. I am so happy.”
Valente resisted early pressure from Yvan Muller to take second as Muller was forced to pit when the bonnet of his Citroën partially opened.
His misfortune handed third place to LADA’s Rob Huff, who determinedly fended off Sébastien Loeb – and then Gabriele Tarquini for a time – in a dramatic battle for third.
WTCR
- The race of Marrakech is cancelled, replaced by Salzburg
- Malaysia, Race 3: Kristoffersson takes victory as Michelisz claims title
- Malaysia, Race 2: Guerrieri wins to set-up final-round title decider with Michelisz
- Malaysia, Race 1: Michelisz triumph to extend points lead
- New tracks plus weight rule tweak as WTCR revs up for next three seasons