Jessica Bäckman wins two races full of drama in TCR Germany
Jessica Bäckman dominated the second event of the ADAC TCR Germany at the Red Bull Ring. The Swedish lady drove her ROJA Motorsport Hyundai Veloster N to a couple of outstanding victories and so moved into second in the standings, only one point behind Martin Andersen.
In Race 1, Bäckman led from the lights to the flag and managed to win despite a penalty for jump start. In the second race, she emerged victorious at the end of a thrilling four-way fight and led home her teammate Robin Jahr.
Jonas Karklys had set pole position for Race 1 but was dropped to the back of the grid due to an engine change, which promoted Bäckman and Szymon Ładniak to the front row. The Swedish lady made a too good start ahead of Ładniak, which cost her a 5-second penalty. Behind the leading pair, Jahr moved up to third ahead of Andersen, Patrick Sing and Karklys who had recovered six positions by the first turn. Karklys overtook Sing for P4 and began chasing Andersen; they swapped the fourth place a couple of times and then started fighting with Jahr for P3.
Up front, Bäckman pushed to the limit to erase the penalty; by lap 15, she stretched the gap to 5.4 seconds over Ładniak and kept on increasing it. During the final laps, Jahr’s pace faded, and he was passed by Andersen, Sing and Karklys, dropping to sixth. Bäckman won by a margin of 7.3 seconds that was cut to 2.3 by the penalty, while Ładniak and Andersen completed the podium
Karklys topped Qualifying for Race 2 as well beating Ładniak by two tenths; this time the Lithuanian kept his pole position and led from the start, consistently building a gap over the rest of the field. Behind him, the quartet of Ładniak, Andersen, Bäckman and Jahr were in a close fight. There were no changes until lap 8, when all of a sudden Karklys slowed and returned to the pits, handing the lead to Ładniak. Eventually Karklys rejoined after losing one lap and finished 10th.
In lap 12, Bäckman began threatening Andersen’s second place, but the Dane was able to reject her attack, while the four leaders were covered by 1.2 seconds with ten minutes to go. This close battle culminated in lap 18 with a clash between the Team Engstler’s colleagues; their cars tangled, and Andersen moved into the lead, while Ładniak dropped to fourth behind Bäckman and Jahr. Soon the Stewards ordered Andersen to drop behind his teammate, which promoted Bäckman and Jahr to first and second. Behind them Ładniak and Andersen made contact once again while fighting for third. Bäckman and Jahr finished 1-2 for ROJA Motorsport, with Andersen in third.
The series will race again in Austria, at the Salzburgring on 17/19 June.
Red Bull Ring – Race 1
1. Jessica Bäckman (ROJA Motorsport, Hyundai Veloster N), 20 laps
2. Szymon Ładniak (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Honda Civic Type R), 2.634
3. Martin Andersen (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Honda Civic Type R), 8.346
Red Bull Ring – Race 2
1. Jessica Bäckman (ROJA Motorsport, Hyundai Veloster N), 20 laps
2. Robin Jahr (ROJA Motorsport, Hyundai Veloster N), 1.139
3. Martin Andersen (Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Honda Civic Type R), 5.125
Championship points
1. M. Andersen, 108 pts; 2. J. Bäckman 107; 3. J. Karklys 87
Picture: ADAC Motorsport/Gruppe C Photography
