Photo: Peugeot Sport Argentina

Mariano Werner grabs double win at San Nicolás

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Team Peugeot Total Argentina driver Mariano Werner claimed victory in the Super TC 2000 feature race at the all-new San Nicolás circuit, making it a double with the Saturday qualifying race victory. The Chevrolet YPF duo of Agustín Canapino and Bernardo Llaver joined him on the podium.

The front row of the grid had Werner and his team-mate Néstor Girolami, followed by Canapino and Tomás Gagliardi Genné of Chevrolet YPF.

Canapino moved up to second after overtaking Girolami at the start. Werner tried to pull away from Canapino, as Girolami tried to keep the Chevrolet duo of Gagliardi Genné and Bernardo Llaver behind him.

The Renault Sport cars of Facundo Ardusso, Leonel Pernía, Emiliano Spataro and Martín Moggia had to start at the back of the grid as they had failed technical scrutineering after Saturday’s qualifying race, failing to meet the minimum ride height. Ardusso made strong progress at the start and managed to climb to 12th by lap nine.

Toyota driver Manuel Luque retired following an engine failure on lap ten.

Ardusso managed to move into the top ten after overtaking Facundo Chapur of Citroën Total Racing on lap 18.

Pernía pulled a strong move on Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina’s Damian Fineschi for ninth with only six laps to go. Later, he repeated the move on Matiás Rossi for seventh position.

With only four laps to go, Girolami pitted and retired from second position due to an engine issue, promoting Canapino and Llaver to second and third position respectively.

Werner crossed the finishing line as winner after 27 laps, followed by Canapino, Llaver, PernÌa and Gagliardi Genné. Carlos Javier Merlo finished sixth in his privateer Renault Fluence, followed by the Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina duo of Rossi and Damián Fineschi. Ardusso and Team Peugeot Total Argentina’s Matías Munoz Marchesi completed the top ten.

Canapino has strengthened his lead in the championship to 196 points. with Ardusso second on 179 points and Pernía on 172 points.

The next Super TC 2000 round will be held on November 4th with the legendary Buenos Aires 200 km race.