Biagi and Herbert wins at Kyalami

Tomas Biagi won the International Superstars Series at Kyalami, as well as taking his second win of the season. Johnny Herbert won his first Superstars win ever after a good fight with Caal Racing’s Luigi Ferrara.

The first race was declared wet, even if the track was dry at the start. Herbert took the lead thanks to a good getaway off the grid, overtaking pole man Ferrara.

Local driver Auby was in third, followed by Pigoli and Sini. On the third lap Ferrara passed Herbert and took back his lead. Meanwhile Cola started to climb up the order and managed to get in third.

Soon after that the rain started to fall, making the track more suitable for the Audi RS4’s. Auby spun on the slippery track and was collected by Cappellari as he tried to restart. Cola was hit by problems towards the end of the race. The Hop Mobile Audi Sport Italia driver tried to resist but was finally passed by his fellow Audi driver Dionisio and Sini.

In race two Biagi, who had already celebrated his International Superstars Series title, started on pole, but was overtaken in the start, slipping down to fourth as Pigoli, Romagnoli and Sini got past.

Sini went off track twice during the first two laps, eventually slipping down to fifth. Meanwhile Herbert, who had passed Biagi as well, got up to third and started chasing the leading duo. Romagnoli briefly tried to attack Pigoli, but the Jaguar driver slowed down and was passed by Herbert, who had Pigoli in sight.

On the fifth lap Sini and Romagnoli made contact, with the latter stopping in the gravel. Ferrara, who had passed Biagi earlier, therefore climbed up to third and started defending from the newly-crowned champion. More drama went on during lap eight, as Herbert’s Lumina stopped due to engine issues.

Biagi eventually managed to pass Ferrara, as the duo was joined by Alberto Cola’s Audi RS4. Biagi started chasing Pigoli and passed him on lap 12. Ferrara made a mistake and went through the gravel, as Cola gained third place and eventually managed to overtake Pigoli to take second.

Biagi and Cola opened a good gap from Pigoli, with Biagi finishing the race comfortably in the lead ahead of the Audi driver. Pigoli came third, under no pressure from Ferrara, while Cappellari cruised to fifth.

Biagi celebrated the title with a win as Ferrara managed to retain his second place in the championship ahead of Pigoli. Cola finished a good fourth in his maiden season, ahead of Giovanardi who remarkably finished in fifth despite only competing in two Superstars International Series rounds out of seven.

The Superstars Series goes into the winter break; the 2011 season is scheduled to start at Monza, on April the 10th.