Nogués wins – Nykjær is the champ

Michel Nykjær secured his second consecutive FIA European Touring Car Cup title at Salzburgring, Austria, today. Oscar Nogués won the race, but Nykjær’s second place in the race gave enough points for the title.
“Unbelievable! It has been a fantastic weekend for me. I was able to avoid the crash in the start. Then I just kept pushing and was able to get in to second quickly. I am more than happy,” said Nykjær after the race.

Once again the first corner produced a crash. César Campanico out braked him self and went in to the back of pole man Jan Nilsson of Flash Engineering. Nilsson spun his car and a lot of drivers went in to the grass to avoid him. Nilsson’s team mate Richard Göransson had no where to go but crashed in to Nilsson.

Göransson was able to continue while Nilsson had to retire. Göransson then climbed up to third position in the race, securing third place overall.
“It would be wrong to say that I am happy with third. But this is motorsport, anything can happen. It has been a tough weekend with some great racing. Nykjær is a worthy champion, but he will not get it easy next year,” said Göransson.

Oscar Nogués managed to avoid all the commotion in the first corner and came out in a lead that he held all the way to the finish.
“I was able to avoid the accident and had a great race. I want to thank the team and SEAT for this great weekend,” said Nogués.

Franz Engstler had a hard fight for Göransson for third place. The both switched positions several times in the last stage of the race. But the German had to settle for fourth.

The Swedish Honda-driver Tomas Engström made a very strong drive from last place on the grid to finish fifth.
“I am pleased, I got revenge from the first race. Considering the circumstances I must say that I am happy,” said Engström.

Jens Möller secured sixth place ahead of Campanico and Mikko Eskelinen. Wolfgang Treml finished ninth ahead of Oleg Petrishin who rounded out top ten.

Final standings FIA ETC Cup 2008

1 Michel Nykjær 18 points
2 Oscar Nogués 16 points
3 Richard Göransson 14 points
4 César Campanico 6 points
5 Jens Reno Möller 6 points
6 Kristian Poulsen 5 points
6 Franz Engstler 5 points
8 Tomas Engström 4 points
9 Mikko Eskelinen 3 points
10 Jan Nilsson 1 point
11 Alexander Lvov 0 points
12 Charlie Geipel 0 points

Race Two results