Attila Tassi became the eighth different race winner in the 2018 TCR Europe when he claimed his maiden victory in Assen’s Race 2. The young Hungarian and his Hell Energy Racing Honda Civic led for the whole distance and crossed the finishing line ahead of the title contenders Mikel Azcona (PCR Sport Cupra) and Dušan Borković (Target Competition Hyundai i30 N).
Because yesterday’s Race 1 winner M1RA’s Dániel Nagy retired due to a suspected engine failure, Borković and Azcona are on top of the standings, split by just two points: 134 to 132. However, Nagy is still in contention as he lies third, 20 points behind Borković; Tassi has moved up to fourth, with a gap of 39 points.
While Tassi and Azcona were able to pull away, Borković tried everything to steal third from a determined Stian Paulsen and eventually succeeded with a superb overtaking manoeuvre.
In the final part of the race, behind the leading trio, Paulsen, Maxime Potty, Kris Richard and Stefano Comini put in a great show as they swapped positions several times; eventually it was a charging Comini who was classified fourth and first in TCR Benelux, just like in yesterday’s Race 1, proving that he can now compete for a race victory in the Autodis Racing-THX Honda.
Giovanni Altoè encored his victory in the DSG Trophy.
The penultimate event of TCR Europe will be at Monza on 22/23 September.
Key facts Start – Paulsen makes good use of the pole on the top-ten reverse grid and takes the lead from Azcona and Tassi Lap 1 – Paulsen runs wide and Tassi moves to second; Tassi overtakes Azcona for the lead; Borković, Richard and Potty follow the leading trio in fourth, fifth and sixth; Files retires after hitting a stack of tyres in a chicane Lap 2 – Potty overtakes Richard for fifth Lap 3 – Tassi pulls away as Paulsen chases Azcona; Nagy stops on the track with an engine issue and the safety car is deployed Lap 6 – The race resumes with 11 minutes left; Borković threatens Paulsen’s third place Lap 7 – Comini overtakes Richard for sixth; Paulsen, Borković and Potty fight for third Lap 8 – Barr overtakes Kroes for tenth Lap 9 – Azcona closes the gap from Tassi Lap 10 – Paulsen successfully defends his third position from Borković as they run abreast in the last chicane Lap 11 – Borković manages to overtake Paulsen for third Lap 12 – Comini overtakes Potty for fifth Lap 13 – Comini overtakes Paulsen for fourth; Potty runs wide and drops to seventh behind Richard and Vernay; Tassi wins from Azcona and Borković
Quotes from the second race podium
Attila Tassi (winner): « My first win of the season, at last! It was more than one year that I was waiting for this, so I am very happy. This time, everything went very well, with no hiccups. The team gave me a perfect car, I really had a good pace. I took a good start and then I could pass Azcona after a short fight and keep the lead until the end. It’s really wonderful. »
Mikel Azcona (second): « I am very happy with second, it’s very good for the championship. In a difficult weekend like this, it’s well beyond my expectations. I had a good start and took the lead after passing Paulsen. Then Tassi was catching me, he had a faster pace and I couldn’t resist much. It didn’t make sense, as slowing him would have allowed the others to come back. I was even surprised I could stay close to Attila and close on him in the chicanes. For me, it’s a really good result. »
Dušan Borković (third): « It was a little crazy as a race for me… but, all in all, third is not bad. My start wasn’t very good, then I was fighting with my teammate Kris Richard, he hit me and I hit him back, it wasn’t very clever to have that kind of fight between the two of us. »
When Mikel Azcona and Carlos Sainz jr meet again…
TCR Europe was part of a rich race programme in the Gamma Racing Day at Assen’s TT Circuit, which also included a Renault Formula One exhibition with works driver Carlos Sainz jr at the wheel. Mikel Azcona, the Spanish driver who is currently second in the TCR Europe Series’ standings, with the PCR Sport Cupra, was particularly eager to meet again and greet his fellow countryman. « Carlitos is two years older than me, » explained Mikel, « and we raced together in our karting years, in Spain and abroad. We were rivals but also good friends. » Sainz immediately recognized Mikel among the crowd waiting for him in the paddock and the two spent a few moments chatting and congratulating each others.
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