TCR World and life

The title fight was decided right after the start of Race 1 (bottom left), when Dmitry Bragin, Ladygin’s only contender, got the worst from a collision and spun off. He rejoined and fought to the bitter end, recovering and clocking the fastest lap, but eventually was forced to pit and change the rear left wheel that had been damaged in the incident. So Ladygin cruised to the end in fourth position, securing the title before the final race. Mityaev claimed his second win of the season from Orudzhev and Artem Slutskiy who finished on the podium for the first time on only his second appearance in the championship. Kalmanovich won the pole for Race 2 thanks to the draw that reversed the top seven positions from Qualifying and led from the lights to the flag, resisting assaults from Bragin for most of the race (below). The start was again very hot, with four cars – Kalmanovich’s, Egor Fokin’s, Artem Slutskiy’s and Burlutskiy’s – running abreast into Turn 1 and Bragin trying to squeeze among them. Bragin and Slutskiy made contact and Kalmanovich emerged as the leader. Bragin passed Mityaev for second and began chasing Kalmanovich but couldn’t find a way through and settled for second position, three tenths behind the winner. Mityaev completed the podium and so advanced to third in the final standings behind Ladygin and Bragin. Round 13 – Sunday 31 October, Sochi Autodrom 1. M. Mityaev (LADA Sport Rosneft, LADA Vesta Sport); 2. E. Orudzhev (Lukoil Racing Team, Audi RS 3 LMS); 3. A. Slutskiy (Carville Racing, Hyundai i30 N) Round 14 – Sunday 31 October, Sochi Autodrom 1. P. Kalmanovich (AG Team, CUPRA); 2. D. Bragin (TAIF Motorsport, Audi RS 3 LMS); 3. M. Mityaev (LADA Sport Rosneft, LADA Vesta Sport)