Raphael Reis wins final race at Autódromo Oscar Cabalén

W2 Pro GP driver Raphael Reis (Cupra) won the second TCR South America race at Autódromo Oscar Cabalén in Argentina, gaining vital points on championship leader Leonel Pernía.

Race 1 winner Néstor Girolami (Hyundai) reported clutch issues during the formation lap on his way to tenth on the grid but took the start without any apparent issues.

Pole-sitter Nicolas Fuca was overtaken at the start by fellow Lynk & Co driver Juan Ángel Rosso as the lights went out.

Third-placed Enzo Gianfratti went wide at Turn 1, with rival Cupra driver Raphael Reis (Cupra) stealing the place and was followed by Nelson Piquet Jr. (Honda).

Gianfratti continued to drop down the order as both Leonel Pernía (Honda) and Girolami went past.

Hostilities continued at the front, with Piquet Jr. going off the track whilst trying to find a way past Fuca. The former F1 driver was told to pit as he had grass blocking the radiator.

Reis meanwhile closed the gap to Rosso and was able to snatch the lead on lap eight, quickly opening a two-second gap over Rosso.

Girolami was on the move at mid-point of the race, overtaking Leonel Pernía for fourth position on lap eleven a Fuca for third place on lap 13.

Reis controlled the race and won the race by 2.5 seconds over Rosso, while Girolami completed the podium and Leonel Pernía finished fourth.

Fuca came home in fifth position ahead of Gianfratti, Trappa and Cafaro.

“The first race was good, but I had tyre trouble and it ruined my race,” Reis said after the race. “The second race was very good and it was an important result for the championship.”

After the sixth round of the season, Leonel Pernía leads the championship on 323 points, with Reis 58 points behind and Girolami 14 further points adrift.

The next round of the TCR South America takes place at Concordia on September 11-13.