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The season opener at Alastaro (FIN) on 20.-21.5. was a show where the rookie Matias Salonen (Relaa Racing), local track expert Henri Tuomaala (Iceboys Racing) and surprise entry Robertas Kupcikas (Porsche Baltic) put up a gripping performance for the audience. 

Henri Tuomaala set the tone for the weekend by clinching the pole position in Saturday's qualification, continuing his strong performances on his home track. The front row was completed by the short notice recruit Robertas Kupcikas.

-The test race last year was good for me, but I need to improve a lot to be able to compete for the wins this season, Tuomaala said having set the fastest time in qualifying.

 

A surprise winner

The first race of the season was raced later on Saturday afternoon. Kupcikas got the better of Tuomaala in the start and sprinted ahead. More or less throughout the race Kupcikas was leading the race with a small gap to the catching group. Early on, Tuomaala attempted to overtake Kupcikas, but instead dropped behind the Junior driver Valters Zviedris (Capkausko Autosportas).

Behind the leading trio, the junior duo Thomas Kangro (Porsche Estonia) and Salonen jousted for the 4rd position. As if by magic, the pair defied the laws of physics while performing some of the most entertaining racing seen in a long while. First Kangro overtook Salonen with an aggressive move in the last corners before the main straight. On the next lap, however, Salonen made a move lasting multiple corners to regain his position back.

-It was tough but fair racing with Salonen. Next time I hope to come out better, said Kangro after the race having finished 5th.

In the end, the podium was in the respective order: Kupcikas - Zviedris - Tuomaala. Salonen missed out the podium only by a car’s length behind Zviedris, but managed to clock the fastest lap time that earned him the pole position for Race 2 of the season.

Kupcikas was seemingly happy on the podium:

-Win, no damage or mistakes. I can be happy with that. But it was not easy to drive in the front because controlling the pace and gap was tough. I’m here to substitute another driver so keeping up a fast pace throughout the weekend without mistakes and on one set of tyres is a big job!

Class winners of Race 1 were:

Junior: Valters Zviedris 

Approved Cup: Daniel Skurnik (D-Sports)

Masters: Jukka Eerola (JPE-Racing # 18)


Salonen show

Matias Salonen was the star of the second race of the season. The young Finn slingshot himself from pole position to lead the race from start to finish. In the process, not only did he stretch a 5 second gap to the brilliantly fast Henri Tuomaala, but also set a new lap record - twice!

-The strategy was to lead from pole to finish and it worked out this time. I’m very happy about the result and also that we now have confidence heading to the next races as we know our pace, Salonen concluded his stellar race.

The podium behind Salonen was completed by Tuomaala on P2 and Thomas Kangro (Porsche Estonia) on P3. Kupcikas was 4th and Zviedris 5th. Also 39 Racing Team had a solid performance in the race with strong performances from both drivers: Jani Käkelä on P6 and Jonne Kurikka on P7.

Salonen also claimed the Junior class win. Other class winners were:

Approved Cup: Daniel Skurnik (D-Sports)

Masters: Jari Ollila (SPP Racing)

Skurnik had a strong weekend despite driving an older generation 991 car. True to his style that we all like so much, he did not go unnoticed on the paddock:

-You saw my pace! Pretty good, right?

The season continues at the BaTCC DeWalt Grand Prix in Bikernieki on 9.-10.6.


21.05.2023