Photo: WTCC Media

Engstler secure first independent teams’ title

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Liqui Moly Team Engstler have won their first Yokohama Teams’ title in the WTCC at Shanghai. With drivers Kristian Poulsen and Franz Engstler taking second and third in the category in race two, the German team have put the title out of reach of BMW rivals Proteam and the SEAT equipped SUNRED Engineering.

The Wiggensbach-based team, which is partnered with Poulsen Motorsport for this season, is now out of reach of SUNRED Engineering, currently in second place represented by drivers Michel Nykjaer and Pepe Oriola.

Engstler Motorsport’s previous best result was second place in the trophy in the 2008 Championship in their first season. Proteam have won the teams’ Championship four times, in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010, with SEAT teams GR Asia and SUNRED taking the title in the 2006 and 2009 seasons.

Engstler now lead the standings with 217 points, with the Spanish SUNRED Engineering team on 148 and the Italian Proteam Racing in third place on 136.

British independent team bamboo-engineering, who finished runners-up in the independent teams’ title last year with drivers Darryl O’Young, Harry Vaulkhard and Yukinori Taniguchi are the lowest placed two car team in fourth place, with third place just within their grasp at Macau.

The points system for the independent teams’ trophy was revised for 2011, with double points no longer applicable for the season finale at Macau. Though double points still applies for the independent drivers’ trophy.

Yokohama Teams’ Standings after Shanghai