Jessica Bäckman paces second Red Bull Ring practice
Jessica Bäckman put ROJA Motorsport on top in the second TCR Germany practice session of the weekend at the Red Bull Ring.
The Swede, who won the opening round of the season at Oschersleben, set a best time of 1:37.319, to go over half a second clear of the nearest challenger, Vincent Radermecker’s Maurer Motorsport Holden Astra TCR.
Following a damp first practice at the Austrian circuit, conditions were far better for the second half an hour session in the afternoon.
Bäckman headed to the top of the times in the second half of the session as the track got quicker and quicker, deposing erstwhile leader Jonas Karklys, who ended the session third fastest.
Karklys had set the early benchmark before the final runs, with his 1:38.060 just under two-tenths ahead of series points leader Martin Andersen.
The Lithuanian, driving the NordPass Hyundai i30 N TCR then cemented his position as fastest driver as Patrick Sing made it a Hyundai one-two with the second fastest time in his privately entered i30 N TCR.
The field came into the pits ahead of the final 10 minutes before heading out once more. Bäckman’s time was enough for her to remain unbeaten until the chequered flag, with Radermecker making an impressive surge to second.
Sing ended up fourth quickest, ahead of Andersen’s Team Engstler Honda Civic Type-R.
Robin Jahr was sixth fastest in the second of the ROJA Motorsport Hyundai Veloster N TCRs, with team-mate René Kircher eighth.
FP1 pacesetter Szymon Ladniak was seventh quickest, while Roland Hertner and Max Gruhn completed the top 10.
Next up for TCR Germany is the first of the two qualifying sessions this weekend, scheduled to take place at 11:45 CEST.
