Kristensen gives Honda first win

Opel's Manuel Reuter started from pole for the 50km Sprint race.

He held on to the lead, despite a lightening start from championship leader Christian Abt, who moved up from sixth to second place.

Further back, a collision between Bartel's Phoenix Audi and Asch's Vectra sent the Opel flying into the barriers and across the track, taking Kristensen, Nissen and Alzen with him.

The safety car intervened, Bartels was awarded a stop-go penalty and Kristensen rejoined a lap down.

When the safety car pulled in, Reuter retained first place, while Tarquini, returning from a successful guest appearance in the BTCC, overtook Abt for second place.

At the chequered flag, it was Reuter's Opel ahead of Tarquini's Honda, with Abt's Audi A4 in third and Modena's Alfa Romeo 156 in fourth.

Another great start from Christian Abt saw the Audi take the lead at the start of the longer Feature race, ahead of pole-man Reuter and Tarquini.

Reuter regained the lead on the second lap.

Having started 16th on the grid, Kristensen's Honda was flying up the field, with the Dane up to eighth place by the end of the first lap.

By lap nine, he had caught up with the leaders Reuter and Abt, and was lapping around one second faster.

Kristensen overtook Abt on lap 11, taking the lead of the race two laps later.

Having lost the lead, Opel's luck disappeared, as Reuter's engine blew and Alzen went off into the gravel.

None of the factory Opel cars finished the race.

Kristensen took the chequered flag nearly seven seconds ahead of Abt's Audi, with Tarquini completing the Honda triumph in third place.

'It's a dream, to start from so far back and then to win,' Kristensen said afterwards.

Meanwhile, Tarquini said, 'It's a big day for Honda - we are all very happy to have achieved our goal.'

After a poor weekend for main challengers Opel, Abt has increased his championship lead, and is now nearly 100 points ahead of Alzen.

The next round is at the Salzburgring on September 5.

Results from the Sprint race