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26.10.2009
Engstler misses European title in Portugal.Franz Engstler can look back on a successful European Touring Car Cup weekend. The BMW privateer twice finished second in Braga, Portugal, venue of the 2009 FIA ETCC, and only narrowly missed out on the title at the wheel of his BMW 320si WTCC. |
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| On a wet track, Engstler started the first race of the weekend from second place. He held his position to score eight points for the overall classification. The second race in Braga developed into a real epic. From seventh Engstler immediately made up ground, only to be dogged by bad luck by twice being involved in collisions.
Despite these incidents the German driver kept his cool, and fought his way back through the field to second– meaning overall victory in the European Touring Car Cup was within grasp. James Thompson (Honda), however, demonstrated his class by taking the lead with a courageous overtaking manoeuvre. Thus both scored 16 points, as Thompson had finished third in race one. However, as he had the better single result to his name, the Briton celebrated the European title. “It could not have been tighter,” said Engstler, who will compete in this weekend’s FIA World Touring Championship rounds in Okayama (Japan). He is still in for a theoretical chance to win the Independents’ Trophy. |
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