Saturday in Misano Part 2 – Lacko leads from start to flag

27. May 2017Misano - At the start of the first race it had gotten even hotter. At places the asphalt was measured at 60°C, which would prove to be particularly demanding on the tyres. Polesitter Lacko set the pace at the start, but Kiss kept up alongside, and it looked like the Hungarian could take the lead in the S-curve at the end of the straight. But as they entered the short straight, Lacko already had his Buggyra’s snout ahead, reaching the Rio, the first of two 90° bends, out ahead. Till the very end the Czech had the tankpool24 pilot – so characteristically – clinging to his rear crash guard, but there was no denying Lacko his first victory of the season.
The duo quickly built up a cushion over the pursuing pack of Hahn, Halm, and Albacete. But it was clear that Hahn’s Iveco was weakening, that the truck lacked adequate thrust, and two-thirds into the race he had to let his two pursuers overtake. Steffi Halm thus fetched herself the third podium spot, ahead of Albacete and Hahn.
Lap after lap Lenz and Körber fought a close duel, the young German winning that one by a whisker. No less spirited was the battle for eighth place, which meant pole position for the ensuing race. Till just before the finish it looked as if the second tankpool24 pilot André Kursim had it in the bag, but his Mercedes seemed to develop problems with its speed governor, allowing José Rodrigues to pull past and claim the coveted pole position.
Tenth place and the final FIA point that comes with it went to Robineau. The Frenchman also took third on the Promoter’s Cup podium after Rodrigues and Kursim.
Buggyra Racing 1969 (Draganovic / Lacko) was the top-scoring team, followed by Reinert Adventure (Halm / Lenz) and tankpool24 (Kiss / Kursim).

Impressions: