The Danes take the independents’ wins at Brno

Michel Nykjaer took SUNRED’s first indie win in race two with the new 1.6 turbo engine in the Czech Republic, whilst Kristian Poulsen’s class win in race one sees him pull back a lead in the Yokohama Independents’ Trophy.

Poulsen’s lead in the trophy was diminished after he was taken out of race two in the first corner melee at the previous round at the Hungaroring, with Javier Villa taking the most points to close right up with the Liqui-Moly Team Engstler driver.

The Dane held on behind Tom Coronel in the first race to finish fourth overall and win in the independents’ class with the BMW 320 TC and edge ahead in the points standings from Villa.

Whilst in race one, the top placed SR León 1.6T of Michel Nykjaer had an exciting start, knocked twice by first his team-mate Gabriele Tarquini and then Javier Villa into the first corner, but went on to finish 10th, and fifth in class.

“I came down to the first corner and I was hit by one (Tarquini) and I was almost around,” said Nykjaer to TouringCarTimes.

“I was turning the steering at full throttle and turned it around and I thought ‘okay, I made it!’ and then pow, I was hit again and had to do it again and thought ‘oh #@%$!’. Then I felt something from the tyres, a flat spot or something as the car felt strange, but after that we just tried to come home.”

Nykjaer was battling with the ailing Chevrolet Cruze of Darryl O’Young for the latter stages of the race, but eventually fell back behind the charging BMWs of Norbert Michelisz and Javier Villa.

“I can only pass him (O’Young) in the corners if he makes a mistake, although he made some mistakes he was able to block me, but we need the speed to beat the Chevrolets,” added Nykjaer.

In race two, Nykjaer started from pole position, though falling behind the fast starting BMW of Tom Coronel at the start, and then losing spots during the race to the RML Chevrolets of Yvan Muller, Alain Menu and Rob Huff, the Danish driver held on to finish fifth overall and the top classified independent to take SUNRED’s first victory for the 1.6 turbo engine in only its second race weekend.

WTCC Yokohama independents’ trophy standings after Brno