No change atop the podium

VALENCIA, Spain - Ander Vilarino secured another Elite Division win at the Ricardo Tormo circuit to notch up his sixth EURO-RACECAR NASCAR Touring Series triumph of the season. In the Open class, top honours again went to Simon Escallier.

ELITE DIVISION: VILARINO TAKES CONTROL AHEAD OF LE MANS

Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander) has left every meeting this season as the highest points scorer and his home event was no exception. Despite being dominated by compatriot Javier Villa (#64 Gonneau Racing) in qualifying, it was Vilarino who took the two victories.

"My start wasn't perfect and after leaving Villa space into the first corner Iannetta and Thievin both passed me," said the championship leader. "We made some changes to the set-up so I was able to push hard and get back to the front. The race was very clean and I am happy to come away with two victories." Everything is still to play for with points counting for double at the season-closing Le Mans event, but Vilarino will travel there with a lead of 56 points over Thievin and 72 over Villa.

From third on the grid, Thievin (#99 Still Racing-Exotics Racing) managed to grab the lead into turn one and retained the advantage for three laps, though he could not hold off Vilarino for the win. "My performance improved throughout the weekend, but we still couldn't take the victory," said the 2011 series runner-up. "I intend to get one at Le Mans." Villa meanwhile was hampered by accelerator problems that also affected his Open class team-mate Diego Duez. "The race was difficult because my technical worries were more severe than yesterday," said Villa. "I am not happy with this weekend's results and, though anything can still happen, it will now be difficult to fight for the title."

Behind the podium finishers there was a fierce battle between Roman Iannetta (#25 Orhès Competition), Antoine Lioen (#5 Rapido Racing) and Yann Zimmer (#18 Scorpus Racing) who finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. However the latter was penalised 30 seconds for contact with Lioen caused by recurring brake problems, dropping him to 10th. This benefited Anthony Garbarino (#6 Rapido Racing), Willy Boucenna (#17 Pole Position 81), Romain Fournillier (#11 Over Drive-McDonald's) and Stéphane Romecki (#19 Scorpus Racing) while Nathalie Mallet (#46 Racing Club Partner) took Challenger class honours in 13th overall.

OPEN DIVISION: ESCALLIER BACK IN THE TITLE HUNT

After winning yesterday's Sprint from pole Escallier triumphed again in the Endurance contest to complete a perfect weekend in Spain. The circumstances were different however as he was amongst the pack when the race got underway, though he was then able to quickly find his way to the head of the field. "Starting in the pack is always tricky so I just tried to remain consistent throughout the race,” he said afterwards. "I then managed it the same as yesterday. I owe a big thank you to my team-mate Stéphane Romecki as he saved tyres perfectly during his stint."

While Escallier faced little opposition, the other two steps of the podium remained undecided until the final meters of the race. Leaping from fifth to first early on, 17-year-old Spaniard Zihara Esteban (#42 Autosport 42) then ran second after Josh Burdon (#18 Scoprus Racing) fell victim to gearbox woes, while there were also problems for Didier Lescos (#81 Pole Position 81), Philippe Marie (#88 Orhès Competition) and Alain Grand (#11 Over Drive-McDonald's). Leonardo Vernet (#22 Over Drive-Moser Vernet) completed the podium, his first top-three of the season, and also won the Gentleman class. "I am very happy," said the Swiss racer. "This is my first top-three in EURO-RACECAR, the championship in which I have by far the most fun. The drivers are real gentlemen: they race clean and fair."

Despite a clash with Marie, Grand took third place and thus won the Legend category reserved for drivers over 50. "Not bad for an old man," he joked after securing his second top three after Nogaro. "For once luck was on my side despite big worries about my brakes. Through a stroke of good luck I finished in an unexpected third place. I fought hard for it and I'm happy to be back on the podium.” Grand beat Stéphane Sabates (#100 Still Racing-Convergence), Tanguy Ide (#44 Orhès Competition), Eric Quintal (#2 TFT-Banco Santander), Lescos, Christophe de Fierlant (#46 Racing Club Partners), Joaquin Gabarron (#5 Rapido Racing), who was penalised with a drive-through, and Franck Violas (#28 RDV Competition).

This weekend has had a major impact on the Open Division title battle. Vincent Gonneau (#15 Gonneau Racing) was the victim of a nightmare event, allowing Ide to take a 10-point advantage to Le Mans. Meanwhile Escallier’s double win has put him back in the championship while Grand climbs to third place, 18 points shy of Ide, followed by Gonneau with a deficit of 21. Next up is Gabarron who is 27 shy, Cormon (#25 Orhès Competition) with a gap of 36, Marie 44 in arrears, David Perisset (# 99-Still Racing Exotics Racing) who is 55 behind, Vernet 56 and Sabates 57.

188 points are up for grabs at Le Mans (October 12-14) in what promises to be a thrilling season finale.

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