TCR World and life

20 ITALY Halfway through the season, there is a quintet of drivers who are pulling away from the rest of the field in TCR Italy. Eric Brigliadori, Antti Buri, Kevin Ceccon, Salvatore Tavano and Nicola Baldan have dug a ditch in the standings between themselves and the other competitors. Driving his Audi RS 3 LMS to an authoritative victory in Vallelunga’s first race ahead of Tavano’s CUPRA Leon Competición and Buri’s Hyundai i30 N (above), Brigliadori has built a small leading margin in the standings. His tally is now just seven points bigger than Buri’s who claimed his maiden TCR Italy win in the second race at Misano. Ceccon, the winner of an eventful Race 2 in Vallelunga (right), is lying third, a further six points adrift. Tavano and Baldan follow in fourth and fifth with gaps of 21 and 31 points respectively. As its level is growing, the Italian championship is attracting drivers from other series for guest appearances. That was the case for TCR Europe regulars Franco Girolami and Jack Young who raced two MM Motorsport Honda Civic cars at Misano. The Argentine driver did not waste the opportunity and claimed a convincing win in the first race (top right). Afive-waybattle fortheItaliantitle ATHALF-SEASON, BRIGLIADORI LEADSAQUINTETOF DRIVERS WHOARECOVEREDBYONLYTHIRTY-ONE POINTS