Photo: Gripping Media

Lundgaard ahead of Magnussen

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If you want drama, don’t go to the theatre. Watching the second race at today’s Danish Touring Car Championship at FDM Jyllandsringen made up for that. Chevrolet driver Henrik Lundgaard won the hectic heat in front of Jan Magnussen and fellow Chevrolet pilot Michel Nykjær. But behind in the charging field, fender benders, overtaking and shouting were involved.

After a cosy autograph session, everyone thought it was just another DTC heat. The field starts in reverse order for the first 8 positions. But already in turn one at Martin Jensen was nudged of the track by James Thompson, Jensen did however rejoin at the bottom of the field, running a now damaged BMW.

Jens Reno Møller lead the field, however he was hunted down by John Nielsen in second. And the veteran managed to get past Møller, however it didn’t happen without drama and a nudge of the track in the Horseshoe turn. Jan Magnussen seemed to be fighting the extra 15 kilos of ballast in his BMW 320i E90, due to the E85 fuel. So Lundgaard managed after a chase to get past the reigning champion.

The drama continued, Nielsen now suffering a broken trackrod, had to retire in order to get ready for the following finale. Kasper Jensen pushed out in turn one, digging into the graveltrap, safetycar is deployed. Now Lundgaard is leading Magnussen, Thompson and Nykjær.

Per Poulsen sporting the second Hartmann Honda is fighting a hard charging Jason Watt. After the Horseshoe turn, Poulsen tries to go around the Seat driver, but is hit in the side. Watt is later punished for the action, which in the end cost Watt four spots. Møller has at that time managed to fix his Leon, and rejoins the field.

Michel Nykjær also manages to get past Thompson, who seems to suffer from the earlier contact. At the finish, Lundgaard takes the flag as the proud winner, making the day a Chevrolet power demonstration. Magnussen and Nykjær complete the top three.

Per Poulsen wins the Privateer Cup, but sadly misses the honorary round, left behind by the truck running the course, to the applause by the public. Best Invitation-Only is yet again Jens Ole Mathiesen.