The ETS Guest Star Trophy at Circuit Paul Ricard was awarded to Julien Briché in Race 1 and Manuel Fernandes in Race 2.
Briché drove his JSB Compétition Hyundai Elantra to finish eighth in the first race, after defending the sixth position until the final few laps from the attacks of Santiago Urrutia and Ma Qing Hua.
“It was a difficult race,” the Frenchman said. “But I had fun in fighting with Ma and Urrutia. I had a good start, but after a few laps I was under pressure from Ma. I have tried my best to resist, but the Geely cars are very fast and finally they both passed me. It was a good result for the team, we always try to aim for better, but it was encouraging because we are getting closer.”
Briché was set to encore in Race 2, but a flat tyre forced him to pit with three laps to go and so it was Manuel Fernandes who emerged as the trophy winner, finishing ninth in the Vannin Motorsport Audi RS 3 LMS.
“I did a good start, but they got in front and I was behind Ma Qing Hua. I don’t know who, but another driver hit me two times and I lost a lot of positions. We pushed hard to catch Briché, and when I saw he had a puncture I just kept in my rhythm, to finish and win the ETS Trophy. Let’s go to Vila Real now!”
Picture: WSC/Fastclick-AvensImages
