September 24, 2023

KISS CLAIMS FIFTH TITLE WITH DRAMATIC WIN

With five races to spare, Norbert Kiss has claimed his fifth Goodyear FIA ETRC title.

Getting a great start from pole, it looked like it was going to be another lights-to-flag win for the Hungarian, but a power failure from André Kursim forced the race to be restarted as the red flag came out.

Sascha Lenz took full advantage of the restart, holding the inside line to take the lead from Kiss going under the Dunlop Bridge. Driving well, Lenz held onto the lead for a lap before the Hungarian was all over his rear bumper, finding his way back through. From there, the now five-time champion made it look easy as he breezed home to his 19th win of the season.

Lenz continued his strong race to hold off Jochen Hahn, claiming second over his fellow countryman. Although Kiss has taken the title, the battle for third is still closely being fought, so every point each of the contenders can get over one another helps close them in on the second-place trophy. The pair were split by half a second at the end of the race to complete the overall podium.

Albacete’s fourth place finished helped his and Kiss’ team claim the team’s title with five races to go.

Jamie Anderson is doing everything he can this weekend to get into the fight for fifth in the overall standings, having another great race around Le Mans Bugatti. His fifth on track importantly was ahead of both Steffi Halm and Kursim, who he is in the championship battle with.

Taking a spectacular first win, Luis Recuenco drove the perfect race to take Promoter’s Cup glory and reverse grid pole for Race Four. Using Lukas Hahn’s chassis after his was irreparable after Zolder Race Three seems to have worked wonders for the Spaniard, who gets himself right in the fight of every race. He will be looking to run a new truck in 2024 so that this competitive streak can continue.

Steffen Faas and Clemens Hecker had some tight battle out of track, completing the top ten and the Promoter’s Cup podium. It was a shame for John Newell who, after the qualifying mix up, started well in the race. Contact caused him a puncture that lost him pace each lap, resulting in him losing third place on the podium. The Brit will be looking to recover in Race Four to end the weekend on a high. Mark Taylor and José Eduardo Rodrigues completed the final standings, with only José Rodrigues Snr retiring from the race.

It was an unlucky one for both Rodrigues as José Eduardo suffered a puncture on the first start, forcing him into the pits for repairs on the restart and losing half a lap on the rest of the field. Rodrigues Snr made contact with Taylor, spinning around and coming into the pits with some repairs needed ahead of Race Four.

Mark Taylor and José Eduardo Rodrigues completed the final standings, with only José Rodrigues Snr retiring from the race. It was an unlucky one for both Rodrigues as José Eduardo suffered a puncture on the first start, forcing him into the pits for repairs on the restart and losing half a lap on the rest of the field. Rodrigues Snr made contact with Taylor, spinning around and coming into the pits with some repairs needed ahead of Race Four.