Mariano Werner takes last-lap victory in Rafaela but is then excluded
Mariano Werner claimed victory in the Super TC 2000 race at Rafaela as Team Peugeot Total team-mates Agustin Canapino and Nestor Girolami clashed on the very last lap. To add even further drama, Werner was then excluded for an irregularity with the rear wing of his Ford Focus.
Girolami headed the field for the majority of the race, but with his Peugeot team-mate Canapino close behind and Werner shadowing in third.
A safety car session with just three laps left increased the drama even further, with Canapino getting right on the boot lid of his team-mate. The fight culminated on the last lap as Canapino tried to pass Girolami in the final chicane, resulting in contact between the two and the victory being handed to Werner.
The stewards judged Canapino guilty of the incident, reversing the order between the two, meaning that Girolami was classified second and Canapino third.
As the dust had settled over their duel, the next controversy came as the stewards announced that the Ford Focus of Werner had an irregularity with the measurements of the rear wing. The matter is under investigation until Tuesday next week and if the irregularity is confirmed, Werner will be excluded from his victory.
Matias Munoz Marchesi finished fourth for Chevrolet, with Facundo Chapur leading a furious chase through the field to finish fifth from the very back of the grid, climbing 22 places in total.
His Fiat colleague José Manuel Urcera finished sixth, with Matias Rossi claiming seventh position for Toyota Team Argentina and Leonel Pernia rounding off the top eight as the best Renault driver.
The next Super TC 2000 race takes place on July 26th at San Luis.
