Matías Rossi heads Toyota 1-2 at Salta
Toyota Gazoo Racing Argentina celebrated a 1-2 win at circuit Martín Miguel de Güemes in Salta City, with Matías Rossi crossing the line first with team-mate Julián Santero in second. The Toyota duo was followed on the podium by series leader Leonel Pernía of Renault Sport.
Rossi claimed the lead from pole position ahead of Renault driver Facundo Ardusso, Santero and team Chevrolet YPF driver Bernardo Llaver. Santero challenged Ardusso and overtook him for second at turn one.
Honda’s Ricardo Risatti collided with Facundo Chapur of Citroën, meaning a retirement for Risatti and the safety car on track. The race was restarted and the two Toyota drivers quickly established a two-second lead.
Pernía made a move on Llaver and the two came together. The Chevrolet nearly spun off track and the Renault driver allowed him back into fourth place.
Pernía tried again and managed to overtake Llaver for fourth on lap eight. Another incident came on lap 14 as Llaver and Toyota driver Matías Milla collided. Milla managed to get past up to fifth position as Llaver had to pit due to damage sustained from the two incidents.
Lap 18 saw Ardusso receiving a team order to let Pernía past in order to chase Santero for second place.
Santero was lapping consistently slower than Pernía due to the penalty weight carried from qualifying. The Renault driver closed down on the Toyota driver but was not able to get past.
Rossi won the race by 1.6 seconds after 30 laps ahead of Santero. Pernía completed the podium for Renault, ahead of Ardusso, Milla and Werner. Team Honda Racing driver José Manuel Urcera and Renault driver Facundo Conta rounded off the top eight.
Pernía is leading the standings on 100 points, ahead of Rossi on 87 points and Ardusso on 82 points. The next Super TC 2000 round takes places on August 17-18th at San Nicolás.
