Motorsport: The success of a whole team
At the penultimate event of the European Touring Car Cup, Kris Richard recorded his fifth win of the season in the Honda Civic TCR from Rikli Motorsport. But how it came about that he thus also remains at the top of the standings is an incredible story. With a two-point lead, Kris Richard traveled to the former GP circuit of Magny-Cours for the penultimate round of the FIA European Touring Car Cup (ETCC) [...]
With a two-point lead, Kris Richard traveled to the penultimate round of the FIA European Touring Car Cup (ETCC) at the former GP circuit of Magny-Cours (F). There, he initially captured the fastest time in practice before throwing the Honda Civic TCR into the tire pile due to shifting problems. As none of the seven top class competitors went faster after him, the 21-year-old retained his first pole position in touring car racing and the three additional points that came with it.
Richard was not really happy, because in a night-and-fog operation, a street Civic from Wangen an der Aare had to be procured to replace the demolished doors and parts had to be obtained from JAS in Milan to repair the transmission. Because the service bus from Honda partner JAS was not on site in France because the WTCC was not running there. Richard's father covered around 1200 kilometers for this. The incredible efforts did not seem to pay off in the first race. Richard immediately extended his lead, but misinterpreted a caution flag and headed for the pits for what he thought was a penalty stop. The fact that he still finished fourth speaks in his favor.
Head-to-head race for the championship
The Bernese then did everything right in the second run, soon surged ahead from the third row of the grid and never relinquished the lead. "I didn't want to risk a disqualification. Unfortunately, our radio went out from lap 2," said the Swiss, justifying his mistake in the first run, which he described as idiotic. "The fact that I won afterwards is thanks to the team, without which I would not now be in a continuing good position."
With victory in the first race and 2nd place in the second, Richard's strongest opponent Petr Fulin (CZ) in the Seat Leon TCR namely collected so many points that the two title rivals are tied in the championship. Since Peter Rikli, as third in race 2 and in the standings, will put himself entirely at the service of his young teammate at the finale in October, the 2016 ETCC champion can normally only be called Fulin or Richard. But what is normal after this weekend?
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Photos: ETCC
