Engines roared back to life in the TCR European Endurance for the second round of the season at the Autodromo Vallelunga. Following the late April debut at the Balaton Park Circuit, the series promoted by Mauricio Slaviero headed to the capital city track named after Piero Taruffi, with the first free practice session seeing Konukokoglu/Brigliadori (Audi RS3) – TEXACO Team AMS set the best time of 1:42.098 after 15 laps, proving to be the busiest car in the first half hour of free practice.
Second was Sandro Pelatti (Audi RS3) – PMA Motorsport, who is making his TCR European Endurance debut and will complete the weekend alone, without alternating with a teammate at the wheel of his car. Third place went to Fossati-Barberi (Audi RS3) – FOX Racing Team, with the Italian duo making their debut in the series. In fourth place overall, Okyay-Kacan (Audi RS3 DSG) – TEXACO Team AMS were the fastest among the DSG gearbox cars, ahead of Paolino/Rodio (Cupra DSG) – RC Motorsport and Adriano & Claudio Gentili (Cupra DSG) – Brothers in Arms. It is worth noting that Pinar/Ozen (Audi RS3 Gen1) – TEXACO Team AMS went off track, with the track reaching 49°C of asphalt and 24°C of ambient temperature in this first session.
Today’s schedule includes the second free practice session at 18:05, while the two qualifying sessions are scheduled for Saturday, 18 May, at 12:10 to establish the starting grid for the race, which is scheduled for 15:20. The race will begin with Stage 1 lasting 55 minutes + 1 lap, which results will set the grid for the second part of the race, scheduled for Sunday 19 May at 11:30. The races will be streamed live on the TCR TV YouTube channel, as well as on SKY Italia channel 229, MS Motor TV, with commentary provided by Daniele Spadi.
