Photo: ADAC Motorsport

Josh Files leaves Oschersleben as TCR Germany points leader

Target Competition driver Josh Files had a perfect start of the season at Oschersleben, with the reigning champion able to come away on top of the drivers’ classification in the TCR Germany series.

Files was fourth in qualifying, but went on to score a victory on Saturday’s race, and then a third place on Sunday. As a result, the Briton now leads the standings with 72 points.

“Florian drove superbly and deserved to win today,” said Files. “It was a difficult race but I’m happy with the result. It’s a long year, every point counts and is very valuable. I’m looking forward to the next round at the Red Bull Ring.”

Audi driver Sheldon van der Linde is second, 14 points adrift, after finishing third and fifth in the weekend’s races. Files’ team-mate Tim Zimmermann is third with 56 points, two ahead of Sunday’s winner Florian Thoma.

The weekend’s poleman Kris Richard stands fifth with 49 points, with Steve Kirsch and Pascal Eberle tied three points behind.

In the teams’ table, Target Competition UK-SUI, which runs Files’ and Richard’s Honda Civics, leads the standings with 72 points, 12 ahead of the Junior Team Engstler. Target Competition GER, who looks after Tim Zimmermann’s and Tom Lautenschlager’s Audi RS 3 LMS is third with 59 points.

Luca Engstler leads the classification of the Rookie class with 20 points, ahead of Rudolf Rhyn and Simon Reicher, with seven each.