Photo: TCR Spa 500

Tom Coronel leads the TCR Spa 500 as rain has hit the circuit

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Red Camel-Jordans.nl driver Tom Coronel is leading the TCR Spa 500 by six laps ahead of Peugeot 308TCR driver Julien Briché, as rain has hit Spa Francorchamps with just over six hours left of the endurance race.

The race started like a sprint race with the top five drivers fighting hard for the lead. Finnish Audi driver Rory Penttinen took the lead initially but was soon passed by Pepe Oriola who claimed the lead for Cupra team Red Camel-Jordans.nl.

Pole sitters NKPP Racing by Bas Koeten Racing quickly dropped down the orders and soon ended their race with a huge crash at Eau Rouge with Harry Hilders behind the wheel. Hilders fortunately escaped injury while the car was heavily damaged.

The incident started a Code 60 caution period, hurting the factory Peugeot entry of DG Sport Compétition that had pitted early for front tyres only with Aurélien Comte behind the wheel.

Another retirement came during the early morning as Peter Gross crashed his Wimmer Werk Motorsport prepared Cupra.

As the sun started to rise, Charles Espenlaub of Vmax Engineering made contact with Eric Kwong of Bas Koeten Racing, seeing the stewards handing Opel driver Espenlaub a 30-second penalty.

TCR Germany championship front runner Antti Buri is currently third for TOPCAR sport with Bas Koeten Racing, with Dominic Ang holding fourth for Viper Niza Racing while Caren Burton is fifth for Burton Racing.

The race ends at 15:00 CEST.