Photo: TCR

Aku Pellinen delighted to score win in spite of late tyre drama

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Aku Pellinen scored his first victory in the TCR International Series at Spa-Francorchamps, even though the Finn’s tyres were fading fast in the closing laps, allowing the chasing SEATs of Pepe Oriola and Dusan Borkovic to close in and threaten his chances.

The WestCoast Racing driver made good on his pre-race strategy plan, and took full advantage of the fast-starting Honda Civic TCR to sail into the lead and go on to take the victory, albeit just under four-tenths of a second ahead of Oriola at the finish.

“Our tactic was to have a good start, get in front, do some qualifying laps and try to manage with the tyres,” said Pellinen to TouringCarTimes. “The start was strong, and in the first few laps the car was very strong, the balance was there, but in the last few laps I started to feel that the tyres were coming down, then the last two laps were very difficult.

“With these two guys coming closer and closer at the end it didn’t make it any easier. I was just trying to forget the mirrors, I saw Pepe was flashing his lights but I was just trying to look forwards and concentrate on what I’m doing.”

After scoring his first TCR win, the Finn, who has now moved up to fifth in the championship standings, is hoping that will serve him well in the next races.

“I think I now have more confidence for the coming races,” he added. I didn’t expect after yesterday we’d be able to fight for the victory so I’m very satisfied.”

Oriola was closing down on the Honda driver in the final stages, but last year’s championship runner-up admitted he felt he should settle for the points instead of go for a win opportunity that was not really there.

“I’m happy but a little bit sad as I still have some problems with the starts,” said Oriola to TouringCarTimes. “If I had a good launch I’d have been leading, in the race I was really consistent, no mistakes, but at the end it was too risky to try a move (on Pellinen), so I decided to stay there. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s race and hope to be back in the lead, but without picking up 30kg (of success ballast).”