After a rain-free first session, the TCR European Endurance drivers encountered a light drizzle as they went back out on track for FP2, which gave them 25 more minutes to get some laps under their belt ahead of qualifying. Despite the weather change, it was Sandro Pelatti and Franco Girolami (Audi RS3) who once again proved to be the fastest pair in free practice, setting a 1:43.314 towards the end of the session as the rain stopped falling. Thanks to Pelatti’s speed and a former TCR Europe champion such as Girolami joining the grid of the series promoted by Mauricio Slaviero, PMA Motorsport is set to be among the hot favourites for the rest of the weekend.
TEXACO Team AMS were hot on their heels, with the Audi RS3 of Konukoǧlu/Brigliadori finishing free practice two in second position – suggesting that the fight for the race win on Saturday will be closer than ever. In third place was the leading Gen-1 car of Pinar/Özen (Audi RS3 Gen-1), as they inch closer to another class win. In the fight for fourth – which also doubled as the best time in the DSG category – new entry Faro Racing was able to show their pace as they finished at the top of the standings reserved to cars with a DSG gearbox. At the wheel of their Golf TCR DSG, two-time TCR International Series champion Stefano Comini and teammate Ottavio Cappelli were able to fend off the challenge posed by the Turkish duo of Kaçan/Okyay (Audi RS3 DSG), though the class leaders after the opening two rounds will try to turn things around during qualifying.
With both free practice sessions now in the books, TCR European Endurance will be back on track tomorrow morning, with qualifying scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 22nd at 9:25 local time. Both stages are scheduled for tomorrow as well, ensuring plenty of on-track action: the first part of the race will start at 17:00, whereas the green flag for stage two will be waved at 20:55. The two parts will be broadcasted by TCR TV’s YouTube channel, with Daniele Spadi on commentary duties.
