Super Touring, race 2: Colciago wins for Audi

Tarquini was making stellar progress from his starting position at the rear of the grid, and held sixth as he turned in to the Adelaide Hairpin, where he was harpooned by a completely out-of-control Giovanardi.

"I had a good start, no problems, until somebody missed their braking point by 50 or 60 metres," said Tarquini. "He hit me in the door and completely destroyed my car."

Giovanardi continued, despite the fact that coolant was streaming from the severly damaged 156, and he coated the entire circuit in oil and water.

Gianluca de Lorenzi's BMW was the early leader, but he was passed on lap two by Colciago. The Audi, which had led the first race until he understeered off at Chateau d'Eau, made no mistakes this time other than a brief off-track excursion at the final chicane that lost him some time with a few laps to go.

"I was faster in the beginning but there was a lot of oil on the track, so it was difficult to drive," said Colciago. "In the end, I won, so I'm happy."

He headed home Alfa's Nicola Larini, who took his second runner-up spot of the day to increase his points lead.

"It was unbelievable to drive in those conditions," he said. "The race track was 90 per cent oil. It was like it was raining, it was impossible to catch him so I decided to settle for the points."

Local hero Eric Cayrolle (BMW) had led Larini in the opening stages, but his brave defence of second ended on lap seven when he spun off in the oil. Colciago's team mate Massimo Pigoli also had a gravelly off, which allowed a charging Matt Neal up to fourth.

Although the Brit had started from the pits, he battled his way past Fabrice Walfisch's Honda Accord early on, picked off the tail enders, and closed to within 3secs of third-placed de Lorenzi at the flag after his early race one exit.


1 Roberto Colciago, AGS Audi Quattro A4
2 Nicola Larini, Nordauto Alfa Romeo 156
3 Gianluca de Lorenzi, BMW 320I
4 Matt Neal, Team Dynamics Nissan Primera
5 Massimo Pigoli, AGS Audi Quattro A4
6 Fabrice Walfisch, JAS Honda Accord