Audi Sport Italia Press Release
- Leader Tomas Kostka to fight tooth and nail for ultimate prize in German finale
- Emanuele Zonzini, Ermanno Dionisio look forward to sign off 2014 with class act
Nibbiola, Italy – Audi Sport Italia's drivers sweeped the podium spots in the EuroV8 Series next-to-last meeting at Sachsenring and Tomas Kostka grabbed the series lead when he piloted his RS 5 to the third 2014 victory. There are three drivers who are on their way to Germany expecting to battle for the maiden FG Group-promoted series crown: besides Kostka, Nicola Baldan and Francesco Sini. They all previously savoured the taste of being on top: Sini, who trails Kostka by 13 points was the first of the bunch to claim the leading spot, which he had to relinquish to Baldan in Mugello, possibly the best meeting for the AMG Mercedes driver. Tuscany also treated Kostka to a foretaste of the leadership, as he led after race one -- albeit level on points with the Chevrolet Camaro driver-- before both were leapfrogged by Baldan. Kostka's mixed fortunes at his home event meant that the Zlin, Czech Republic-based driver had to wait nearly three months --until the Audi-red letter day on a soaked track at Sachsenring-- to climb back to the top of the tables, after Audi Sport Italia second season 1-2-3.
Hockenheimring is not supposed to be as Audi-friendly as Sachsenring was, however the pressure will be on Kostka's rivals to displace him from the top. Kostka as well as team mates Emanuele Zonzini and Ermanno Dionisio shouldn’t be the nervous ones who enter this race looking at a chance to test their ability and their mettle, because they have shown loads of both. The experienced Dionisio after sailing uncharted waters at the two previous venues is to drive at a track he already visited, and he'll do so after clinching the EuroV8 gentlemen standings with one round to go. Zonzini proved in his last outing that youth isn't a liability in a touring car series where experienced driver reign, claiming a deserved runner-up spot behind Kostka in his second series start. Which ultimately adds up to suggest to fans and insiders alike to keep an eye on RS 5 drivers on Sunday.
Standings:
1. KOSTKA 148 points
2. Baldan 146 pts.
3. Sini 135 pts.
4. Mercatali 108 pts.
5. Copetti 92 pts.
6. Mugelli 91 pts.
7. DIONISIO 87 pts.
Timetable:
Saturday, October 4
09:00-09:30 practice
13:55-14:25 practice
17:20-17:50 qualifying
Sunday, October 5
09:30-09:45 warm up
14:05 25-minute race (+1 lap)
Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia
