Münnich retains the TCR title in the Gulf ProCar championship

René Münnich retained the title of the Gulf ProCar’s TCR class after a disputed season finale at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. Münnich was the first to cross the line in all the three races. However, he was demoted to second behind Alexandros Annivas by a penalty in the first race that was the reschedule of the championship’s eighth round that had been cancelled due to bad weather.

Later, the German driver won Race 2 and Race 3, after coming together twice with Annivas.  

Race 1 – Annivas made a better start and led from Münnich who was on pole; in lap 7, Münnich benefitted from the traffic and passed Annivas who tried to follow him. However, Annivas was informed by radio that a ten-second penalty would be imposed on Münnich for track infringements, so he settled to finish second, eight seconds behind and was declared the winner.

Race 2 – At the start, Annivas led from Münnich but in lap 6 he locked the front wheels offering his rival the opportunity to make a move. Their cars clashed and Münnich muscled his way into the lead, winning by six seconds.

Race 3 – Once again Annivas made a better start in the night race. In lap 3, Münnich took to the outside in the attempt to pass and him and Annivas made contact once again. This eventually resulted in a broken gearbox that forced Annivas’ CUPRA to retire some laps later.

Picture: Alex Aldric