Josh Files dominates TCR Middle East Race 1 in Bahrain
Josh Files took a commanding win in the first race of TCR Middle East in Bahrain. The Honda driver stayed in the lead at the start and never looked back. Team Engstler’s Brandon Gdovic came home second ahead of team-mate Luca Engstler, thus retaining the championship lead going into the last race of the championship.
Drama began even before the start, as second-placed Davit Kajaia was not able to start due to technical issues with his Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR. Files had a good start and took a comfortable lead ahead of Engstler, Gdovic and Giacomo Altoé.
After a huge sideways moment, Files managed to regain control of his Lap 57-Honda Civic TCR and started opening a gap from Engstler, while Gdovic and Altoé battled it out for the last podium spot.
Midway through the race the Italian started losing ground from Gdovic, and eventually retired in the pits on lap 22. Meanwhile the American started picking up more pace and closed the gap team-mate Engstler had opened, the German looking to have run out of tyres.
Gdovic started putting pressure on Engstler and, with just two laps to go, the German went wide and locked his wheels, allowing the American through to second.
Josh Files won the race ahead of Brandon Gdovic and Luca Engstler, with Giacomo Altoé still classified in fourth despite not seeing the chequered flag. Gdovic leads the championship ahead of Files by two points, with Engstler in third a further six points behind.
The tile will go to the wire later today at 16:15 local time for the final TCR Middle East race of the year.
