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ETRC - Hahn and Rodrigues take Saturday victories at Red Bull Ring

13.05.17

FIA ETRC - 2017 Race of Spielberg - Races 1&2

ETRC, Truck, motorsport, FIA, Race of Spielberg

Jochen Hahn and Jose Rodrigues scored a win each as the 2017 FIA European Truck Racing Championship roared in to life at the Red Bull Ring in Austria today.

Reigning champion Hahn led every lap of the first 20-lap encounter to achieve a perfect start to his new relationship with IVECO.

In a thrilling race two Jose Rodrigues snatched the lead at the start and then pulled away to score a hugely popular win – the first of his FIA ETRC career.

The Portuguese driver led home Norbert Kiss and Gerd Körber, the latter of who was the only driver to score a double podium in the opening two races today.

RACE 1

Jochen Hahn took the first FIA European Truck Racing Championship race of the season at Red Bull Ring this afternoon after a commanding display.

Claiming his first win for IVECO, the reigning champion converted pole position in to a maximum points score after holding off Steffi Halm throughout the 20-lap race.

For Hahn it was the perfect way to start the season with his new manufacturer, as he set the pace, pulled away and was able to lead a hard charging Steffi Halm home to win by 2.213 seconds.

Halm was able to pull clear of a frantic battle for third position which involved Sascha Lenz (SL Trucksport), Gerd Korber (Team Schwaben-Truck IVECO), Adam Lacko (Buggyra International Racing System) and Ryan Smith (Team OXXO MAN).

This battle was resolved in Korber’s favour as he managed to overtake Lenz to take the final rung of the podium.

For the full story of Race 1 click HERE

RACE 2

Jose Rodrigues scored his first ever FIA European Truck Racing Championship victory after an fantastic drive in race two at the Red Bull Ring this afternoon.

The Portuguese driver took the lead in to the first corner after starting from second place and then was able to build a large gap to his competitors. It was the first ever win for a Portuguese driver since the beginning of the FIA ETRC in 2006.

In a surprise but richly merited victory, Rodrigues took the chequered flag 3.87s ahead of second-placed Norbert Kiss in his Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz.

From the start, pole sitter Markus Altenstrasser (Team Schwaben-Truck IVECO) was outgunned by fellow front-row starter Rodrigues. The Portuguese slipped through at turn one despite a hefty touch between them as they exited the corner as the new leader.

From there the Reboconorte MAN pulled an impressive lead over the chasing pack and at one stage enjoyed a five second gap to his rivals.

Rodrigues also captured both Promoters Cup awards today, becoming the first driver to do so.

For the full story of Race 2 click HERE