Mato Homola has won the first race of 2019 TCR Europe race at Hungaroring!
The dream came true. Mato Homola hoped, that he will be able to show in the new team, new championship, and a new car, that he is able to win! And he did it! After winning the qualifying on Saturday, he was able to finish the first race on Saturday as a winner!
Mato Homola succeeded to drive his Hyundai i30 N TCR from start to finish on the first spot, and he clearly won the race. Mato was really controlling the front of the field and despite many fights behind him, he gave the others no chance to come closer and to attack. „This is such an amazing feeling! The car works perfectly and I am so happy to be here and to race here. It wasn’t easy though. I felt a lot of pressure from the back, but I have managed to keep the drivers behind me. I would like to thank not only to my family but also to the sponsors, fans and all the supporters,“ said Mato after the successful race. Mato’s team-mates, Brit Josh files, and Serbian Dusan Borkovic finished the race on second and five respectively.
The second race of the weekend was held under much worse weather conditions. The first raindrops appeared shortly before the start but it still looked ok. The rain was stronger just after the first lap, but none of the drivers headed for the pits, despite the track being declared wet. There were 2 accidents already in the first lap and the safety car was called in. It stayed on the circuit for more than 10 minutes.
The second race of the weekend was held under much worse weather conditions. The first raindrops appeared shortly before the start but it still looked ok. The rain was stronger just after the first lap, but none of the drivers headed for the pits, despite the track being declared wet. There were 2 accidents already in the first lap and the safety car was called in. It stayed on the circuit for more than 10 minutes.
Just after the safety car was called in, Mato was on the P8, but heavier Hyundai was not able to keep the pace with lighter cars. After many contacts, some overtaking (doing overtaking and also being overtaken), Mato finished the second race of the day on the 11th position.
„This was an extreme race. I have been hit several times, I have given several hits, it was crazy slippery. At the end of the day, I’m happy for the P11, I have some points, and luckily, the car is in one piece. I have 54 points after this weekend, I am in the front positions in the championship, I am really happy!“, said Mato after the race.
Next TCR Europe race is within a month, on the German circuit Hockenheimring.
foto: Martin Trenkler
TCR EUROPE calendar:
27.-28.04.2019 – Hungaroring, Hungary
25.-26.05.2019 – Hockenheimring, Germany
08.-09.06.2019 – Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
13.-14.07.2019 – Red Bull Ring, Austria
03.-04.08.2019 – Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, Germany
21.-22.09.2019 – Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, Spain
12.-13.10.2019 – Autodromo di Monza, Italy
Watch a trailer video revealing Mato Homola’s race car for 2019: https://youtu.be/fjo2vnsP7h4
2019 Photos: https://goo.gl/Rjm5VV
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matohomola/
Youtube: http://bit.ly/YouTube_MH70
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
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