Perfect weekend: Jessica Bäckman with double victory in Austria
The Bäckmann show continues. The Swede from ROJA Motorsport also won the second race of the ADAC TCR Germany in Spielberg and already has three wins of the season under her belt. In bright sunshine in her Hyundai Veloster, the 24-year-old beat her teammate Robin Jahr (31, ROJA Motorsport by ASL Lichtblau) by just under a second, who made the one-two for ROJA Motorsport perfect. Bäckman looked like third place for a long time, but then she won from a collision between Martin Andersen (27, Denmark, Liqui Moly Team Engstler) and Szymon Ladniak (19, Poland, Liqui Moly Team Engstler). The Swede slipped past both Honda riders and the way to victory was clear.
“I’m very happy because I still had a few problems in qualifying. Of course I was a little lucky, but I’m super happy,” says Bäckman, delighted with the victory: “It means a lot to me that we as a team have achieved a one-two.”
Year is second – Andersen and Ladniak get in each other’s way
Robin Jahr started sixth and had a great day. While not much changed in the field at the start, Jahr was able to catch up lap by lap with his pace, benefiting from mistakes and problems with other cars. On lap seven, pole setter Jonas Karklys (32, Lithuania, NordPass) had to pit and return to the end of the field. A year ago, the two Honda drivers Martin Andersen and Szymon Ladniak also collided. Jahr was able to use this duel to finish second.
“It was a mega performance from all drivers. The level in the TCR is very high. A bit of luck is also part of it, of course, but celebrating a double win here is an unbelievable feeling. Thanks to teams, I managed to get here,” says Jahr, summarizing his race.
Behind them are Andersen and Ladniak. After it looked like a one-two for the Engstler team for a long time, they both have to settle for third and fourth place after their collision. A small consolation prize: Ladniak finished the race as the best junior driver.
Radermecker best Trophy driver – Rosowski is on P7
As the best Trophy driver, Vincent Radermecker (55, Belgium, Maurer Motorsport) finished fifth. For the Belgian it was also the best result of the young season. Max Gruhn (22, Germany, Gruhn Stahlbau Racing) steers his Audi RS3 LMS TCR into sixth place. Places seven, eight and ninth went to Kai Rosowski (28, Germany, K-Ro Racing) in the Audi, Roland Hertner (62, Germany, LIqui Moly Team Engstler) in the Honda Civic and Michael Maurer (29, Switzerland, Maurer Motorsport) in the Holden Astra TCR. Jonas Karklys finished his race in tenth place after problems.
It continues in the ADAC TCR Germany on the weekend of June 17th to 19th at the Salzburging in Austria. Then, in the third championship round, it’s all about the next points.
More voices about the ADAC TCR Germany
Martin Andersen (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, third): “The next podium is great for us, but it was a tough race. I had a lot of close duels and then unfortunately I met Szymon Ladniak. I had to give up the place, but was then able to get it back. All in all it was a good weekend for us.”
Source: ADAC TCR Germany press release
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