Tarquini first in action-packed race 2

Reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini claimed his fourth win of the season in Race 2 at Portimão today. In a hotly contested race, the reigning world champion came from sixth on the grid to take victory ahead of Chevrolet’s Yvan Muller. Rob Huff put in a fantastic drive to come through from 18th on the grid to fill the final podium spot.

Poleman Fredy Barth ended the day in ninth but still first in the Rookie Challenge, while Darryl O’Young claimed his first victory in the Independents’ Trophy finishing 10th overall.

From the front of the grid, Barth had a slow getaway dropping down to eighth as fellow rookie driver Norbert Michelisz had a clean start to take a comfortable lead down into the first corner. Alain Menu jumped ahead of Coronel for second with Tarquini briefly up to fourth before he too found a way past the Dutchman.

Further down the grid Colin Turkington had a spin at Turn 4, after being quick in every session, the Northern Irish racer continued his bad race luck on his WTCC debut. Fellow Independent Kristian Poulsen also had a spin, before returning to the pits.

At the end of the first lap Michelisz was leading from Menu, Tarquini, Coronel, Muller, Farfus, Monteiro and Barth.

The following lap Priaulx, Hernández, O’Young, Huff and Gené all jumped ahead of Barth as Menu began pushing Michelisz for the lead.

By lap three there was a seven car battle for the lead with Michelisz, Menu, Tarquini, Coronel, Muller, Farfus and Monteiro all running closely together. Lap four saw most of the action as Menu made a move on Michelisz for the lead into Turn 1. Tarquini also saw his opportunity following the Chevrolet Cruze through and then also making his own successful challenge for the lead. Muller got ahead of Coronel for P4 as Michelisz slipped down the field with a water pressure problem. Danish rookie Michel Nykjær’s race was also over due to a pierced radiator.

The order was now Tarquini from Menu, Muller, Coronel, Farfus, Monteiro, Huff, Priaulx, Gené, Barth and O’Young. Michelisz pitted while Sergio Hernández dropped back following a collision with Barth. Monteiro and Huff both moved ahead of Farfus while Tarquini started pulling out a gap at the front.

As the field began lap eight, Tarquini was still leading from Muller and Menu. Huff found a way past Monteiro before the BMW Team RBM duo also came through on the inside. Coronel’s rear bumper flew off and across the front of Priaulx’s car before the BMWs both moved ahead of the SEAT León TDI. With only a couple of laps remaining Jordi Gené’s race ended with a tyre blow out for the second time today.

On the last lap, Britain’s Rob Huff completed a fantastic race to take the final podium step from his Chevrolet teammate, Menu, after starting from the second to last row on the grid.

Tarquini took the chequered flag first from Muller, with Huff and Menu in third and fourth. BMW Team RBM’s Priaulx and Farfus claimed some good points for BMW in fifth and sixth with Priaulx having a great race to fight through from 19th on the grid. The BMWs finished ahead of Coronel and Monteiro in seventh and eigth. Fredy Barth was ninth, taking the Rookie Challenge win ahead of O’Young in a solid 10th claiming his first Independents’ victory. Turkington and Vaulkhard completed the Independents’ podium finishing 11th and 12th overall.