Eric Scalvini and Salvatore Tavano (Cupra Leon VZ) completed a perfect comeback in the third round of TCR European Endurance to clinch victory at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. After a third-place finish in Stage-1, the reigning champions were able to climb to first at the end of the pit stop window, before building a large-enough lead to cross the line and take a second consecutive triumph. However, the biggest story of the weekend saw the Gen-1 entry of Kalpaklıoğlu/Göktaş (Audi RS3 Gen-1) clinch the class title, after a third flawless victory of the season.
Scalvini/Tavano were able to overthrow the advantage held by Lisi/Berton (Audi RS3 LMS) after the first stage. After starting in third, the reigning champions overtook teammates Wiesmeier/Lemmerhofer (Cupra Leon Competicion) to climb to second, immediately behind the BF Motorsport Audi. Right before the pit stop window opened, Scalvini and Berton touched into Turn 1, but neither reported heavy damage. Scalvini/Tavano then took the lead after the pit stops and never looked back, thus taking their second win in a row after their Slovakiaring triumph. Second place in the overall race results went to Wiesmeier/Lemmerhofer, who were able to get the better of Lisi/Berton, who finished third. The Stage-2 classification in the Sequential class mirrors the final race results. The Gen-1 win taken by Kalpaklıoğlu/Göktaş – their third in a row – enabled the TEXACO Team AMS entry to secure the championship, thus becoming the Gen-1 champions as well as the first pair to clinch a title this season.
Wimmer Werk Motorsport was able to triumph in the DSG standings as well. An impressive display from Kochendorfer/Klug (Cupra TCR DSG) saw them climb to the lead of Stage-2 right from the get-go, and as the second stage went on, their gap over their rivals only increased. It’s the entry’s first win in the championship, as they become the third different winner in as many races. Pezza/Verrocchio (Audi RS3 DSG) had to settle for second; despite coming into Stage-2 with the race lead, they were unable to keep up with the Wimmer Werk Motorsport duo, and therefore came second after taking the Stage-1 win. Rounding out the podium were TEXACO Team AMS, with the new entry of Söylemez/Okyay (Audi RS3 DSG) clinching third in what was the former’s debut and the latter’s return to the category. Fourth went to championship leaders Palanti/Carinci (Audi RS3 DSG), with the two Cupras of Brothers In Arms of Caso/Locatelli and Serratore/Argenti) following suit.
With all but one title yet to be decided, the attention now shifts to the season finale. TCR European Endurance will be back on track for the fourth and final round in Misano, Italy, from November 13 to November 15.
