Turgut Konukoǧlu and Eric Brigliadori (Audi RS3 TCR) were unstoppable in the first 55-minute plus one lap stage, which opened the final day of the TCR European Endurance 2024. It has been a cloudy day with lower temperatures compared to the previous visit of Mauricio Slaviero’s series to the Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli for the third round. The conditions did not trouble the championship leaders: Konukoǧlu defended the race lead at the entry of turn 1, immediately setting an unbeatable pace for everyone else.
The first lap has been chaotic, as a contact involving three cars occurred during the change of direction towards turn 2. The #4 Audi RS3 DSG of Ibrahim Okyay bumped into the VW Golf DSG of Faro Racing, also spinning the other Audi RS3 Gen-1 #3 of the TEXACO Team AMS. Following this maneuver, race direction issued a 25-second penalty to Okyay/Kaçan pair.
Despite the spins, both Alessandro Brigatti (VW Golf DSG) – Faro Racing – and Barkin Pinar (Audi RS3 Gen-1) – TEXACO Team AMS – started their comeback. Brigatti managed to return to the lead of the DSG class, after a wonderful battle with Okyay (Audi RS3 DSG) that lasted two laps. Pinar’s Audi finished the job following the pit stops and driver changes, returning to the fight for the overall podium.
About the pit stops, race leader Turgut Konukoǧlu and the VW Golf DSG of Fabrizio Tablò were the first to enter the pit lane at the opening of the pit window. Faro Racing team manager had to serve a 5-second longer stop compared to his rivals due to the regulations, as he did not need to make a driver change.
Eric Brigliadori took over the wheel which was left by his teammate Konukoǧlu and started his stint with great force. The Italian immediately set the fastest lap of the race in 1:42.023, faster than the best time recorded during qualifying. For Konukoǧlu/Brigliadori pair (Audi RS3 TCR), it has been a triumphant to the finish line. Thanks to their victory in stage 1, they will start again in pole position in the second stage, at night.
Seda Kaçan took over from Okyay for the second part of the race, managing to defend second place and the lead of the DSG class despite the initial penalty. The battle for third place saw a long-distance duel between Nardilli/Lisi (Cupra DSG) and Pinar/Çiftci (Audi RS3 Gen-1) following a 5-second penalty for not respecting track limits. Chasing the podium on his debut for Pro Race, the Italian finished third at the checkered flag, just one tenth of a second ahead of the third Audi of the TEXACO Team AMS, although he slipped to fourth place overall due to the penalty.
With these results, the TEXACO Team AMS – already champions in the team standings – can celebrate a triple in the overall classification, waiting to find out if anyone can trouble the Turkish team in the second stage. The last race of the season will add the difficulty of the night, with temperatures continuing to drop, testing the abilities of all drivers. Stage 2 will be live streamed on the TCR TV YouTube channel from 17:25, with the final green flag at 17:35. As for stage 1, commentary will be entrusted to the voice of Stefano Russo.
