Photo: TC2000

Altuna wins his first race for Honda

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Mariano Altuna has won the feature race at General Roca for the Equipo Petrobras team, ahead of Renault’s Matías Rossi & pole sitter Martín Basso.

This is Altuna’s third victory in the championship.

Martín Basso started well from pole, whilst Spataro lost ground battling with the Focus and lost ground, which allowed Altuna up into second place.

Rossi was also on a charge, passing the Toyota Corolla of Troncoso on lap seven for fourth, whilst Altuna was able to dispatch of Basso’s Ford for the lead on lap 14, and continue to lead for the remainder of the race.

Rossi’s team mate Juan Manual Silva tried to join in on the move on Basso, but came away with broken suspension and a retirement after contact.

Rossi would eventually claim second from Basso, and the Ford YPF driver would have to settle for third – not having the pace to keep up with Altuna & Rossi, despite a last opportunity when the safety car period was called to recover Facundo Ardusso’s Toyota.

José María López lost positions in a struggle with Ardusso earlier in the race, and would only finish 11th, but still leaves General Roca with the lead in the championship.

López now leads the championship with 36 points from Renault’s Matías Rossi on 35. Norberto Fontana drops to second with 32 points, whilst Altuna now moves up to fourth with 31 points, 21 of the points scored at General Roca.