Double pole and double podium
Our customer, BRC Racing Team, clinched two podium positions and both pole positions on offer at Race of Slovakia this weekend.
Nicky Catsburg topped the timings in both of Friday’s qualifying sessions, and Norbert Michelisz finished on the podium twice on Sunday at the Slovakiaring.
Two proved to be a magic number for the team, as BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse also moved up to second in the teams’ standings.
Consistency key to success
BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Norbert had the pace to challenge for the lead of Race 3, but ultimately finished close behind in second place – his second podium of the day.
“The car and the team were working fantastically. I’m a bit stressed because I didn’t win, but you can have worse days!” he said.
Gabriele Tarquini started in the middle of the pack in Slovakia, but was able to improve on his position in the races, gaining 12 positions in Race 1 alone.
“In the first and third race, the target for me was all about scoring points,” he said.
Promising pace
BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Racing Team driver Nicky finished in points-scoring positions in all three races, but was disappointed not to convert his poles into race wins.
“Race of Slovakia started off really well for me with double pole position and ended really bad unfortunately. I had an issue and I couldn’t fight with the cars in front,” he said.
Team-mate Augusto Farfus also enjoyed fighting his way through the field, making up 14 positions in Race 1 and ten in Race 3.
He said, “I managed to have two strong races, but it was a shame I got hit from behind in Race 2 which resulted in a puncture. With a P5 and a P7, we can go home with a smile.”
Concluding the weekend in Slovakia, Team Principal of BRC Racing Team Gabriele Rizzo said: “While we were able to score a lot of points with all four drivers today, we are of course disappointed to leave without a race win. We know we have the potential with the Hyundai i30 N TCR: both Nicky and Norbert had a strong qualifying on Friday, and Gabriele and Augusto enjoyed some great pace as they improved on their positions in the races today. With the teams now second and seventh in the championship, we’re looking forward to getting back to our race-winning performances in Zandvoort next week.”
