A second place in Race 1 in the final event at Monza was enough for Nicola Baldan to grab the TCR Italy’s title at the wheel of the Pit Lane Competizioni SEAT León. Eventually he was able to finish the season in style, winning today’s second race.
The first race started behind the safety car due to a thick fog. The actual competition began on lap 4, with pole sitter Giacomo Altoè (Target Competition Audi RS3 MLS) leading from Stefano Comini (Top Run Motorsport Subaru WRX). Behind them, Luigi Ferrara (V-Action Alfa Romeo Giulietta) overtook Baldan for third on lap 5.
However, the first three drivers and Kevin Giacon (Tecnodom Opel Astra) were all given 5-second penalties for cutting the chicane.
On lap 7, Comini overtook Altoè for the lead, but the young Italian was able to strike back before the end of the same lap. On lap 9, Ferrara retired from third due to a broken driveshaft.
Altoè took the chequered flag as the winner despite the penalty, while Comini – who had crossed the line in second place – was demoted to third behind Baldan who was crowned champion.
The second race began with a pile up at the first chicane that eliminated both the V-Action Alfa Romeo cars of Ferrara and Tommaso Mosca, Massimiliano Gagliano’s Volkswagen Golf and Cosimo Barberini’s SEAT, while Eric Scalvini (MM Motorsport Honda Civic) had to pit for repairs. He rejoined, but had to serve a drive-through for causing the incident.
The safety car circulated for three laps and when the race resumed, so did the duel for the lead between Altoè and Comini, just like in Race 1.
They run nose-to-tail, swapping positions until lap 9, when Comini stopped along the track with a broken suspension with only three laps to go.
Altoè was first on the finishing line, but was demoted by a 5-second penalty for cutting a chicane, which placed him second behind Baldan and ahead of Massimiliano Mugelli (Pit Lane Competizioni Audi).