Campani claims race one in Austria

In a photofinish at the chequered flag Campani, in his Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione, pipped Luca Anselmi by just 186 milliseconds.

Third place went to Emanuele Moncini, who also won the Gentlemen class.

The new Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione performed impressively in Salzburg, setting lap times at an average over 160 km/h.

Among the Abarth 500 Assetto Corses, the young Finn Jusso Pajuranta triumphed, followed by Italian frontrunners Manuel Villa and Stefano Bolzoni.

The race was spectacular from lights out, with Swedish championship leader Niklas Lilja penalised with a drive-through after jumping the gun at the start, undoing his good work of overtaking pole sitter Anselmi.

Behind the front runners, several cars were involved in an accident after the first chicane, which led to the retirements of Jonathan Giacon and Michael Monetti and penalties for Franco Cimarelli and Manuel Villa in the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse class.

On lap 10, Campani overtook Moncini to move into second and he began his pursuit of leader Anselmi. Three laps later he had reeled him in and overtaken him following a thrilling duel between the pair, which then continued until the chequered flag.

Race two is on Sunday, with Anselmi in pole again.

1. Alex Campani, 15 laps in 26’45”101

2. Luca Anselmi + 0”186

3. Emanuele Moncini + 1”015”

4. Manuel Buffoli + 12”473

5. Niklas Lilja + 12”824

6. Robin Appelqvist + 31”831

7. “Fischerman” + 38”379

8. Jusso Pajuranta (Abarth 500 Assetto Corse) + 41”994

9. Manuel Villa (Abarth 500 Assetto Corse) + 46”573

10. Stefano Bolzoni (Abarth 500 Assetto Corse) + 1’02”723

1. Niklas Lilja SWE 61 points

2. Emanuele Moncini 45

3. Alex Campani ITA 41

4. Jonathan Giacon ITA 30

5. Manuel Buffoli ITA 28

6. Jorge Rodrigues POR, Eric Scalvini ITA and Luca Anselmi ITA 18

9. “Fischerman” ITA 16

10. Jusso Pajuranta FIN 7

1. Jusso Pajuranta FIN punti 69;

2. Manuel Villa ITA 52

3. Stefano Bolzoni ITA 42

4. Franco Cimarelli 34

5. Matteo Arrigosi ITA 32

6. Kevin Giacon ITA 20

7. Franco Storti ITA 16