Michal Matĕjovský wins race one at Slovakiaring

SUNRED driver Michal Matĕjovský won the first race of the day in the FIA European Touring Car Cup after a near race long battle with team-mate Fernando Monje, with the Spaniard succumbing to a puncture late in the race.

Matĕjovský took the lead at the start, with Monje dropping to fourth behind the two SEAT León Supercopas of Andreas Pfister and Stian Paulsen. Monje fought back, retaking the lead from Matĕjovsky on lap three, but it was evident there was a problem with the 19-year-old’s León TDI, with the flat floor flapping underneath the car.

By lap three, Petr Fulín was already up to seventh after starting at the back of the grid in the Krenek Motorsport BMW 320si.

On lap six, Matĕjovsky and Andreas Pfister went past both sides of Monje’s SEAT into Turn 6, Matĕjovsky took the lead whilst Monje was able to keep second exiting the corner, but two laps later the floor broke on Monje’s car whilst he was holding off Fulín’s charge in the BMW. The damaged part rubbed on Monje’s front right tyre which saw it puncture on the following lap, but the Spanish driver still was able to cross the line in 12th.

Matĕjovsky went on to win four seconds clear of Andreas Pfister, who was also the top placed Single Make Trophy driver, with Petr Fulín finishing third.

Aleksander Tosic won the Super Production class after a race long battle with rival Nikolay Karamyshev, with Kevin Krammes taking victory in the Super 1600 class.

25 cars took part in the race with engine problems ruling out Argentinean driver Wilson Borgnini in the third Maurer Motorsport Chevrolet Aveo.

The second race takes place at 12:35 CET.