25,000 spectators at the ETC Cup

Ryan Sharp and Alexander Lvov were the winners of the 2006 FIA European Touring Car Cup in the Super 2000 and the Super Production class respectively.
The two races of the event’s second edition were run under torrential rain on a soaked Estoril track. However 25,000 spectators braved the weather and gathered on the grandstand cheering at the drivers’ evolutions.

Ryan Sharp, 27 years old from Scotland, dominated both the S2000 races at the wheel of his SEAT León car run by GR Asia. A major achievement for this young driver on his first touring car season, and the second one of the season for the team directed by Paul Ridgway who have already claimed the FIA WTCC’s Independents’ Trophy with Tom Coronel.

The team’s other driver, the young Irishman Emmet O’Brien, completed their triumph with a brilliant second place, while experienced Swede Tomas Engström achieved an excellent third position in his Honda Accord.

The Super Production Cup was won by Alexander Lvov of Golden Motors. At the wheel of his Honda Civic, the 34 year old Russian proved to be the fastest and most consistent SP driver in the wet. Second place went to his fellow countryman Timur Sadredinov, who is only 17 years old. Janis Horeliks from Latvia, a representative of the Baltic Touring Car Championship, snatched third place in his old Honda Integra.

The first Nations’ Cup was awarded to MSA, Great Britain’s National Sporting Authority, that edged Sweden’s SBF by two points.