Exciting races up to the last lap marked the start of the Austrian Touring Car Masters 2022 Season, and not only those interested in TCM were offered motorsport at its finest. The ESET V4 series also had its fair share of exhilarating sabre rattling!
However not all entrants had their vehicles ready in time for the start of the season, despite this the starting field was still vastly impressive, not to mention racing performance! A number of drivers from the 2021 season have already announced their participation in the upcoming challenging and equally exciting second race held at the Pannoniaring in May.
TCM regular Bob Bau celebrated his premiere. After a number of successes on the race track, he ensured in 2022 as the organizer of the TCM that this small but fine Austrian racing series remained a platform for ambitious and professionally operated but affordable motorsport in the domestic racing scene.
“The race is over when the chequered flag is waved.”
– Ernst Kirchmayr
The battle went on until the last metre.
Sprint race
To everyone’s amazement, Martin Koch propelled his MZR Racing prepared KTM GTX through the rain drenched track up into second place. In the first corner he took the lead over the entire field and then caused some unplanned tension in the 3rd lap after the finish corner. On the final turn Koch lost control of his GTX, slipping on an exit kerb and crashed into the home straight pit wall before coming to an abrupt stop in the center of the track. Fortunately, Koch was unhurt. The Hungaroring ground and safety crew swiftly responded and were able to clear the track behind the safety car within a few minutes.
The newcomer Nico Ratzinger finished the race on podium and secured second place behind Denis Liebl in Class 2, with their Razoon KTM XBow’s. The starters in Class 3, Max Grip (KTM), Gerald Hofer (Porsche 991 CUP) and Ralf Ott (GT4) fought a gripping battle to the finish.
Ernst Kirchmayr (Ferrari Challenge) made the race in Class 4 exciting: After a crash in qualifying, Baron Racing put in a top performance to complete the replacement car for the sprint race in record time. Ernst lived up to his opening statement: Starting from last position, he fought his way to the front and took and held 1st place. Denis G Watt and Franz Lahmer, who entered their new Porsche 992 GT3 CUP for the first time on track, secured themselves second and third place.
Ernst Kirchmayr secured the overall ranking of the TCM Sprint ahead of Max Grip and Gerald Hofer.
Endurance Race
Due to various mishaps on the still wet track, only 22 competitors were able to compete in the endurance race. Ernst Kirchmayr and Philip Baron started from the 4th row, Franz Lahmer from the 5th row, Gerald Hofer from the 7th row, Denis Liebl from the 9th row and in the 10th row are Max Grip and Müller.
The race began on a now dry circuit, however there were still mishaps. On the first lap at the chicane, the Pagani Zonda flew into the barriers and once again the safety car was out for three laps.
The only driver change was between Ernst Kirchmayr and Philip Baron, they also managed a refueling stop required for the Ferrari in the allotted time. The Razoon crew replaced a broken brake disc right up to the last moment whilst as in the first race, Denis Liebl started from the pit lane. Despite this Liebl secured victory in Class 2 ahead of another newcomer, Oliver Müller, who weaved his KTM XBow almost perfectly between the more powerful cars which secured him second place.
The battle between Max Grip and Gerald Hofer and two other KTM GT4s can be viewed live stream.
After many exciting duels and overtaking manoeuvres, however Max Grip was the victor and took first place. Gerald Hofer came second with German, Ralf Ott, in third.
In Class 4 Ernst Kirchmayr’s saying came true again, unfortunately this time, not the way he intended.
Philip Baron, who leads the TCM Class, made a daring move during the final lap to try and claim second place in the ESET overall ranking. There was a slight collision, which meant that the Baron Team had to end the race just 5 turns before the chequered flag. Kirchmayr said:
“Having a collision when you try EVERYTHING is forgivable. It would be unforgivable for a racing driver not to take an opportunity!”
In the end, however, it was still enough for second place in Class 4 of the TCM Endurance ranking. The title in Class 4 went to Franz Lahmer, who also took the overall TCM Endurance victory ahead of Max Grip and Gerald Hofer. In the overall ESET and TCM rankings, Franz Lahmer finished 3rd and soaked in the view from the Formula 1 podium of the Hungaroring.
All in all, a successful start to the 2022 TCM season, which will undoubtedly deliver more exciting races over the season! Organiser “rookie” Gerhard Trenker was exhausted but relieved and satisfied. Gerhard deservedly earned a rapture of applause from all participants for his successful first event. According to the motto of TCM: We are racing!
The next race will take place on the 12th and 13th of May at the Pannoniaring!
Ergebnisse:
TCM SPRINT race
TCM Class 2
P1 Denis Liebl
P2 Martin Ratzinger
TCM Class 3
P1 Max Grip
P2 Gerald Hofer
P3 Ralf Ott
TCM Class 4
P1 Ernst Kirchmayr
P2 Denis G. Watt
P3 Franz Lahmer
TCM SPRINT Standings
P1 Ernst Kirchmayr
P2 Max Grip
P3 Gerald Hofer
TCM ENDURANCE Race
TCM Class 2
P1 Denis Liebl
P2 Oliver Müller
TCM Class 3
P1 Max Grip
P2 Gerald Hofer
P3 Ralf Ott
TCM Class 4
P1 Franz Lahmer
P2 Ernst Kirchmayr/Phillip Baron
TCM ENDURANCE Standings
P1 Franz Lahmer
P2 Max Grip
P3 Gerald Hofer