Photo: ADAC TCR Media

Steve Kirsch wins action-packed Red Bull Ring Race 2 as Josh Files crashes

Steve Kirsch made up for the missed chance yesterday after failing to turn his pole position into a win, crossing the line in first at the Red Bull Ring in the second race of the weekend. The Honda Team ADAC driver came home ahead of Harald Proczyk, who had led most of the race in his SEAT, as reversed-grid pole sitter Antti Buri completed the podium.

The start was very eventful, as Buri stalled, but a separate accident at the start meant Honda Team ADAC’s Dominik Fugel was sandwiched between the two Target Competition Civic TCRs of Jürgen Schmarl and championship leader Josh Files, resulting in Fugel flying briefly off the ground and all three Hondas damaged. Fugel retired on the spot, while Files made an attempt to continue but soon had to give up and limp back to the pits as the safety car came out.

After more than ten minutes the race restarted, with Target Competition’s Andrea Belicchi the most active driver in that phase. Benjamin Leuchter was in the lead ahead of Proczyk, Tim Zimmermann, Tom Lautenschlager and Buri. The Italian made up for several places after a troubled start and went up to fifth, but a mistake between turns 4 and 5 meant the former Le Mans racer lost several positions, slipping down to ninth.

It was not long however until Belicchi managed to get back up to fifth, even progressing to fourth, as the Italian fought with Scotland’s Finlay Crocker and Buri, resulting in the two touching and losing ground. After 15 minutes of constant attacks, it was time for both Proczyk and Kirsch, who meanwhile had gone up to third, to pass Leuchter for the lead. The Volkswagen driver significantly slowed down five minutes after that episode – although there was no contact – and eventually retired.

With six minutes to go Kirsch made a move on Proczyk stick for the lead, while Belicchi once again made a mistake from third and lost two places. On the last lap, as the Italian tried to fight for the podium with Team Engstler’s Tim Zimmermann, the two collided at Turn 2. The Golf driver retired on the spot, while Belicchi stopped on track soon after. The Italian was given a drive through penalty for the incident. After the race Zimmermann reached Belicchi on track and had a heated discussion with the Honda driver, although it did not degenerate to any physical attacks.

Kirsch therefore won a well-deserved race ahead of Proczyk, with Buri completing the podium. Mario Dablander emerged fourth from a close fight for the top places, while Lautenschlager managed a good fifth in the Liqui-Moly backed Volkswagen Golf. Ronny Jost finished sixth ahead of fellow SEAT drivers Pascal Eberle and Bas Schouten. Kai Jordan’s Volkswagen and Schmarl’s Honda completed the top ten.

Files is still leading the championship, but with no points scored and title rival Proczyk second in Race 2, the Austrian is now 6 points off the lead. Kirsch also makes up for some ground, remaning in third but 30 points off the lead.

TCR Germany will be back on track in two weeks at the Nürburgring.