Photo: TCR Media

Josh Files wins race and TCR Middle East title in Bahrain

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Josh Files once again dominated the race in Bahrain, taking maximum points during the last TCR Middle East weekend and winning the drivers’ title. The Honda driver came home ahead of Engstler Motorsport’s Brandon Gdovic, while team-mate Giacomo Altoè completed the podium in the twin Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.

Files had a flying start from fifth, storming into the lead as Davit Kajaia fought for second in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR with the three Engstler cars of Luca Engstler and Brandon Gdovic with Giacomo Altoè following closely in the third Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR. The German teenager overtook the Alfa Romeo on the opening lap, despite a fierce resistance from Kajaia.

The two started fighting closely until Engstler’s car had a technical problem at the start of the fourth lap, with the German forced to park his Volkswagen in a dangerous position on the main straight, triggering a safety car period.

At the restart, Kajaia stayed close to Files, but the combination of a fast lap by the leader and a small mistake from the Georgian meant the Brit was able to open up the gap again. Focus then shifted on the battle for third, as Altoè put continued pressure on Gdovic.

With nine laps to go, Kajaia started struggling, lapping one second slower than his previous laps and allowing the Engstler duo to close in on him. The Georgian appeared to struggle more and more, it was an easy job for Gdovic to overtake him on lap 18, as team-mate Altoè passed the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR on the following lap. Kajaia subsequently entered the pits and retired.

Josh Files won the race and the TCR Middle East series title, the Brit coming home ahead of title rival Brandon Gdovic and Giacomo Altoè. Despite not finishing the race, Davit Kajaia clocked the fastest lap of the race, showing the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR is making good progress in terms of performance.

Files finished five points ahead of Gdovic in the drivers’ standings, while Luca Engstler ended up third, 31 points behind the champion after his retirement in the last race.