Young starts season in style
TCR EUROPE ALGARVE CIRCUIT (PRT) 30 APRIL-1 MAY ROUND 1/7
One week after taking an early lead in the TCR Italy series, Honda-driving Northern Irish talent Jack Young claimed victory in the first TCR Europe race of the season, supporting the
DTM in Portugal.
The ex-clio Cup UK champion qualified a close second to his team boss, Halder Motorsport supremo Mike Halder, and the two Hondas ran together at the front early doors ahead of the Hyundai of Nicola Baldan. On the fourth lap Halder allowed Young in front, and he sped off to honours. Halder held off Baldan and the Cupra of promising Spaniard Isidro Callejas.
Tin-top veteran Pepe Oriola sat on pole for the reversed-grid sequel and his Honda disappeared into a mighty early lead, before all his good work was undone by a safety car. Franco Girolami, younger brother of World Touring Car ace Nestor, capitalised by moving his Audi to the fore after the restart. Oriola was second, while Tom Coronel fended off John Filippi and Josh Files in the scrap for third.
Young reached seventh before a clash with Callejas dropped him to ninth, and a penalty further demoted him to 11th.