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Ecstatic Norbert Michelisz takes home World Touring Car victory in Hungary

Local star Norbert Michelisz caused euphoria in the Hungaroring's packed grandstands by delivering his second reversed grid World Touring Car victory

From fifth on the grid, the Hungarian made an excellent start in his rear-wheel drive Zengo Motorsport BMW to power into the lead at Turn 1.

Michelisz staged an immediate breakaway, assisted by the presence of Spanish teenager Pepe Oriola in second. The SUNRED SEAT backed up an inspired Mehdi Bennani, in the solitary Proteam BMW, and Alain Menu in the highest placed factory Chevrolet.

On lap nine, Bennani attempted a move on Independents' Trophy points leader Oriola into Turn 1. The manoeuvre was only partially successful, as the Moroccan drifted wide on the exit of the corner, allowing an opportunistic Menu past both men into second.

Menu had just three laps to close a 4.4-second deficit to Michelisz, and was forced to concede a 1.8s margin of victory at the chequered flag.

"This is probably the happiest day of my life," said an emotional Michelisz. "At the start I wasn't expecting to lead, having started in P5, but I was happy to accept the gift. It is a good job I couldn't hear the crowd inside the car, as otherwise I don't think I could have maintained focus."

Having achieved his highest ever WTCC finish of fourth in Sunday morning's race one, Bennani reeled off the final laps in composed style to claim the final step of the podium.

Oriola finished a comfortable fourth ahead of SUNRED SEAT driver Tiago Monteiro, who exhibited an impressive display of defensive driving to keep Slovakia Ring victor Gabriele Tarquini at bay.

Chevrolet's championship hopeful Rob Huff and points leader Yvan Muller were likewise unable to make an impression on Tarquini's sixth place Lukoil SEAT.

Muller dropped two places on the last lap after sliding off the road on the exit of the fast Turn 10 right-hander.

Despite his late race moment, Muller continues to lead the drivers' standings. The triple world champion has 180 points, some 23 points clear of second placed Menu. Huff slips to third on 150, as the series heads to the Salzburgring in Austria for the next round on May 20.

Results - 12 laps:

Pos  Driver                Team/Car                Time/Gap
 1.  Norbert Michelisz     Zengo BMW             23m37.603s
 2.  Alain Menu            Chevrolet               + 1.805s
 3.  Mehdi Bennani         Proteam BMW             + 4.998s
 4.  Pepe Oriola           SUNRED SEAT             + 6.221s
 5.  Tiago Monteiro        SUNRED SEAT             + 8.020s
 6.  Gabriele Tarquini     Lukoil SEAT             + 8.641s
 7.  Rob Huff              Chevrolet               + 9.077s
 8.  Stefano D'Aste        Wiechers BMW           + 10.139s
 9.  Franz Engstler        Engstler BMW           + 11.067s
10.  Yvan Muller           Chevrolet              + 11.572s
11.  Alex MacDowall        bamboo Chevrolet       + 13.174s
12.  Tom Coronel           ROAL BMW               + 15.438s
13.  Darryl O'Young        Special Tuning SEAT    + 19.695s
14.  Tom Chilton           Arena Ford             + 22.556s
15.  Pasquale di Sabatino  bamboo Chevrolet       + 23.189s
16.  Aleksei Dudukalo      Lukoil SEAT            + 23.644s
17.  Gabor Weber           Zengo BMW              + 45.913s
18.  Alberto Cerqui        ROAL BMW             + 1m50.928s

Retirements:

     James Nash            Arena Ford               10 laps
     James Thompson        Lada                       1 lap
     Charles Ng            Engstler BMW               1 lap

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