Halder and Ebdrup top TCR Denmark on equal points
Mike Halder and Malte Ebdrup have moved on top of TCR Denmark’s standings after the second event of the season at Jyllandsringen, as they both have scored 172 points so far. Ebdrup won the first race and the German driver the other two, which makes him the leader for three wins to two.
The reigning champion Kasper H. Jensen, who was leading after Padborg Park had a difficult time and slipped to third, six points behind the pair on top, while Danish motorsport legend Jan Magnussen experienced a drama-filled return to the series.
Race 1 – Ebdrup had claimed the pole and controlled the race without difficulty, with Halder following him all the way to the line in second place, nearly three seconds back at the finish. Ebdrup’s teammate and five-time champion Jensen was struggling for pace and lost third place early in the race after a daring dive down the inside from Magnussen, but that moment would prove to be the highlight of the 51-year-old’s day.
Race 2 – The reversed grid race was much more dramatic with Magnus Dall starting on pole ahead of his brother Mathias. Magnus dropped away quickly at the start, while Mathias held on to second into T1, just losing a spot to René Povlsen. Halder was already up to third, and was soon past Mathias Dall for second, with both Ebdrup and Magnussen also overtaking Dall. Povlsen then let teammate Halder through into the lead on lap two and began to defend against Ebdrup and Magnussen, while Jensen was catching up to Magnussen.
Ebdrup overtook Povlsen, while Magnussen found himself under attack from Jensen. They made contact, which resulted in Magnussen’s car being stuck in the gravel, though no safety car was required. Jensen would go on to catch and pass Povlsen for third, while Halder controlled the race up front and won two seconds clear of Ebdrup, with Jensen a distant third.
Race 3 – Ebdrup started from pole but fell behind Halder at the start, with Jensen slotting in third, while Magnussen’s race barely lasted one corner, as he was knocked into a spin at T1 by Povlsen and would retire for the second race in a row. From then on, the final race of the day was a procession up front, with Halder winning by two seconds ahead of the Mascot Motorsport pair of Ebdrup and Jensen.
The TCR Denmark series resumes at Ring Djursland on 21/22 June.
Race 1
- Malte Ebdrup (Race Group, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 14 laps
- Mike Halder (TPR Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 3.075
- Jan Magnussen (DM Racing, Honda Civic Type R FK7), 11.562
Race 2
- Mike Halder (TPR Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 14 laps
- Malte Ebdrup (Race Group, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 1.968
- Kasper H. Jensen (Race Group, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 15.120
Race 3
- Mike Halder (TPR Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 14 laps
- Malte Ebdrup (Race Group, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 1.925
- Kasper H. Jensen (Race Group, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 7.499
Championship points
- M. Halder, 172 pts; 2. M. Ebdrup, 172; 3. K.H. Jensen, 166
Picture: TCR Denmark/Stumpphoto
