Photo: TCR South America

Jorge Barrio claims first Toyota victory in opening Buenos Aires race

By

Jorge Barrio converted the maiden pole position for the Toyota Corolla TCR into the first victory for the car, heading the field from lights to flag at Buenos Aires.

Aldeu Feldmann (Cupra Leon Competición) could not take the start due to a mechanical issue, with José Manuel Sapag also experiencing problems with his Lynk & Co 03 TCR, although the Argentinian managed to make it to the grid.

Barrio took the lead at the start ahead of Juan Angel Rosso (Honda Civic Type R TCR) and Santiago Urrutia (Lynk & Co 03 TCR). The positions remained stable initially while Ignacio Montenegro (Audi RS 3 LMS) and Raphael Reis (Cupra Leon Competición) made contact without losing places.

Sapag opening the door for his team-mate Frabricio Pezzini to climb to fourth place on lap 12, with the Audi driver Montenegro taking advantage to also overtake Sapag for fifth position.

But soon Montenegro had to retire due to a technical issue with his Audi.

Barrio claimed the victory at the chequered flag with a margin of three seconds to Rosso and a massive 20 seconds to Urrutia who completed the podium.

Pezzini was fourth ahead of Sapag, who experienced gearbox issues, and Fabio Casagrande (Honda Civic Type R TCR). Juan Manuel Casella finished seventh, with Pedro Aizza (Hyundai i30 N TCR) right behind.

Race 2 is scheduled for 12:15 local time (17:15 CEST).