Photo: STC2000

Facundo Ardusso wins Termas de Río Hondo qualifying race

Renault Sport celebrated a 1-2 in the Super TC 2000 qualifying race at Termas de Río Hondo as Facundo Ardusso won ahead of team-mate Leonel Pernía. Agustín Canapino of Chevrolet YPF claimed the final podium spot.

Ardusso started from pole followed by fellow Renault Sport driver Leonel Pernía and Chevrolet YPF’s Bernardo Llaver.

The race started under extremely hot conditions as Ardusso headed the field, leaving behind Pernía and Llaver and Matías Rossi of Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina in fourth.

Rossi pulled a daring move on Llaver by rounding the outside of him at Turn 2 and completed the move a corner later. Canapino took profit from the action and gained two positions, going from fifth to third.

Javier Merlo of Sportteam and Damián Fineschi of Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina collided at Turn 7 on lap four, forcing the safety car on track.

At the restart Ardusso kept his lead ahead of Pernía, Canapino, Rossi, Werner and Llaver.

Ardusso won after nine laps, followed on the pódium by Pernía and Canapino. Rossi, Werner, Llaver, Yannantuoni, Urcera, Renault Sport’s Emiliano Spataro and Citroën Total Racing’s Facundo Chapur completed the top ten.

Canapino leads the drivers’ championship on 161 points, Ardusso is second on 151 points, followed by Pernía on 143 points and Rossi on 141.

The Super TC 2000 feature race is scheduled for Sunday at 12:10 local time, featuring a mandatory pit stop where drivers will have to change at least one tyre.