Nicola Baldan wins rain-spoiled second race at Imola
Pit Lane Competizioni’s Nicola Baldan won the second race of the TCR Italy series weekend at Imola, leading the way in his SEAT León ahead of title rival Eric Scalvini, in a race which featured just three laps of green flag racing due to heavy rain.
The race was started behind the safety car, with Baldan leading the way ahead of Scalvini’s MM Motorsport Honda Civic TCR, with Joakim Darbom third in the V-Action Racing Team Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The first ten minutes of the 20-minute race were run behind the safety car, while the field was let loose on lap four, with Baldan holding off Scalvini, while Kevin Giacon in the Gruppo Piloti Forlivesi overtook Darbom’s Alfa, with the Swede soon dropping behind team-mate Giacomo Altoè’s Alfa as well as the Honda Civic of yesterday’s race winner Jonathan Giacon.
Stefano Comini was on a charge in the Top Run Subaru WRX STi, and was quickly up to seventh position after starting 13th, benefitting as the two Audis of Plamen Kralev and Max Mugelli came together at Variante Alta.
The race however was back under safety car on lap five, with the drivers held for another three laps, before a two-lap dash for the finish started on lap eight.
Comini wasted no time in blasting past the Alfa of Darbom and Giacon’s Honda, and was on the tail of Altoè’s Alfa throughout the penultimate lap, tapping the rear of the Giulietta driver at Acque Minerale, but not gaining a position until later in the lap, when he moved up to fourth.
The Swiss set the fastest time on the final lap, but had no opportunity to get past the Opel of Kevin Giacon and get on the podium, while Baldan managed to keep Scalvini at bay to take his fifth win of the season.
Eric Scalvini continues to lead the standings, but his lead is now reduced to two points ahead of Baldan, heading to the penultimate round of the championship at Vallelunga on September 24th.
