Fourth win of the season in the Scirocco R-CupPerfect start helps championship leader to victoryAhlin-Kottulinsky storms from 17th on the grid to finish fourth21st place again for guest starter Regatschnig
Jordan Lee Pepper gave himself the best possible belated present for his 18th birthday. Three days after his big day, the South African picked up his fourth win of the season in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup and extended his lead in the overall standings in the process. A magnificent start was instrumental in his triumph in the second race of the weekend in Spielberg, Austria. Pepper shot out of the blocks, climbing from fourth to first by turn one.
After twelve eventful laps against the picturesque alpine scenery, Pepper crossed the finish line 0.5 seconds ahead of Germany’s Moritz Oberheim. Pepper is now the clear favourite to win the title in the environmentally-sound one-make cup. With 237 points to his name after seven of the season’s ten races, he now holds a comfortable lead over Sweden’s Victor Bouveng (201), who ended both races at the Red Bull Ring in third place.
The start provided a spectacular opening to an exciting race with many fascinating battles. Pepper took advantage of the duel between Saturday’s winner Chris Smiley (GB), who started from pole, and Bouveng to shoot through into first place. He then lost the lead to Moritz Oberheim on lap eight after a safety car phase, but moved back to the front of the field one lap later. After a hat-trick of wins at the start of the season, Pepper’s podium celebrations were understandably enthusiastic.
Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky produced a no-less impressive display, which saw her pull off some spectacular overtaking manoeuvres as she moved through the field. Starting down in 17th, the flying Swede ploughed through the field to finish fourth. The best-placed of the four Austrian drivers was Marc Coleselli (A) in seventh place. Doreen Seidel (D) enjoyed her best result of the season, coming home 11th. Guest starter Dominique Regatschnig (A) ended her racing debut in her native country with a 21st place.
The fifth race weekend is just around the corner and will take place at the iconic Nürburgring from 15 to 17 August. Races number eight and nine of the season will go a long way to determining who claims the title in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup.
Quotes after race number seven of the season in Spielberg
#17 Jordan Lee Pepper Qualifying: 4 – Race 1: “That is obviously the perfect birthday present for last Thursday. To win here at the Red Bull Ring is obviously awesome. The defining moment was the start. Chris Smiley and Victor Bouveng were so busy with each other that I was able to pass then on the outside. Things are obviously looking good in the championship now. However, there are still 150 points up for grabs. It is not over until the end of the very last race.”
#7 Moritz Oberheim Qualifying: 7 – Race 2: “It is obviously brilliant to come through from seventh on the grid and finish runner-up. I would obviously have liked to have won, but Jordan was just too quick for me. The Scirocco worked perfectly, so I was able to work my way through the field. Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky produced another very special display – from 17th on the grid to fourth place is remarkable.”
#14 Victor Bouveng Qualifying: 2 – Race 3: “I am very happy with my two third places. The races in Spielberg were tough, but fair, and I scored a lot of points in the championship. I will do my very best to give Jordan Lee Pepper a run for his money in the race for the title. I am already looking forward to the race at the Nürburgring.”
#19 Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky Qualifying: 17 – Race 4: “I never believed I would finish in the top five twice here in Spielberg after such a poor qualifying. The safety car phases definitely helped me on both days. The rest was down to some exciting battles and great overtaking manoeuvres. It was great fun!”
