S'Touring race 2: Tarquini takes two

After taking a dominant win in race one, the Honda driver was forced to start from the back as the reverse of the finishing order decides the grid for race number two.

Alfa Romeo rival Nicola Larini, however, found himself at the front of the grid after running into problems in the first race. The Italian immediately moved into the lead and stretched his legs to build up a sizeable lead while team mate Fabrizio Giovanardi, who was second in race one, and Tarquini fought their way towards the front.

The rest of the field was disposed of by the end of the third lap, leaving only Larini ahead, with Giovanardi second and Tarquini third. But the former BTCC champion was keen to take full advantage of his clearly well set-up Accord.

Tarquini passed Giovanardi on lap four and looked as though he would have to settle for second with Larini still 7.3s up the road. However, the former Formula 1 driver contrived to trip over a backmarker and ran wide at the first corner handing Tarquini the lead and his second win of the day.

"It's been a very good weekend," said the double winner. "I was very lucky. I overtook Giovanardi, but Larini was untouchable for me. Then, unfortunately for him, he ran wide. The potential of our car is very high, so I am very optimisitc."

Larini recovered to finish second followed by championship leader Giovanardi in third. Fabrice Walfisch, in the second Honda Accord, profited from Eric Cayrolle's stop-and-go penalty to come home in fourth with Gianluca de Lorenzi taking fifth spot as the first of the privateers.

Tarquini's second win takes him to within 24 points of second place in the drivers' standings behind Larini, who is on 418, while Giovanardi is still comfortably in the lead on 449.

Gabriele Tarquini Honda Accord 19m49.779s 12 laps
Nicola Larini Alfa Romeo 156 19m52.048s +2.269s
Fabrizio Giovanardi Alfa Romeo 156 +4.338s
Fabrice Walfisch Honda Accord +13.187s
Gianluca De Lorenzi BMW 320i E36 +20.863s
Paolo Zadra BMW 320i E36 36.508s