Photo: Tamara Aller

Santiago Urruria tops opening practice at Vila Real

By

Santiago Urrutia, who is a newcomer to Vila Real, led a Cyan Racing 1-2 in the first free WTCR practice session, ahead of reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher.

Urrutia set a best lap time of 1:59.612 and was 0.268 seconds faster than Ehrlacher, with the duo fighting hard internally to get priority from the team in the title fight this year.

Engstler Motorsport’s Attila Tassi was third with his Honda Civic Type R TCR, seven-tenths off the pace.

Ma Qing Hua finished the session in fourth place for Cyan Racing, with Mehdi Bennani the fastest Audi driver in fifth, 1.3 seconds behind Urrutia.

BRC Motorsport’s Norbert Michelisz was sixth, 1.5 seconds off the pace, ahead of Cyan Racing’s Thed Björk. Championship leader Mikel Azcona could only manage eighth place.

Cyan Racing’s Yvan Muller and Zengo Motorsport’s Rob Huff completed the top ten, with the Briton 1.8 seconds behind Urrutia.

The WTCR returns to the track at 12:00 WEST (CEST -1 hour) for the second free practice session.