The WTCC, Tiago Monteiro #18 and the streets of Vila Real
The WTCC change is Portuguese round...and what a circuit. The Vila Real street circuit, is fast, it makes you fear it, but what it is really is the smiles and adrenaline it brings to the drivers of WTCC.
Bennani starting the crazy downhill with "Casa de Mateus" vineyard as background.
The Lada Sport team wasn't easy. "Huffy" was the only one to fishing both races, his teammates damaged the cars on Race 2.
Yvan Muller made it achieved 2nd place on the bumpy Race 2 that gave him chances to fight for 1st on the championship at the time.
The always fantastic Tom Coronel Chevrolet make the portuguese crowd go crazy with the 2 wheels thought the curbs at "Boque".
Loeb misfortune or extra confidence put him out of Race 2.
Tarquini bring some points to Honda and to himself with P3 on Race 2.
Tiago Monteiro #18 was super happy, the Portuguese fans were happy and Vila Real was bursting with joy. Everyone was already seeing him at the podium for the final race...
The colors of Honda were the focus of crowd. Tiago, Tiago the crowd was cheering him up when the Honda Civic WTCC passes by.
And up they go, Tiago and Tarquini giving their best for a great result the Honda.
Tiago who made 5th place on Race 1 and a great qualifying for Race 2, knows that Vila Real his almost impossible to overtake and takes it pedal to the metal on the start of Race 2. No more than 200m where made...the 1st place was just so near but both Lada "close their doors". That once happy crowd and ancious just made silence, Tiago was out of the race. Everyone's dream had just collapse. Better next time, this his racing.
José Maria López won Race 1 and the championship as well. Most consistent driver along with the rest of the Citroen drivers/cars.
Congratulations to you José Maria López | Muitos parabéns José Maria López
The streets of Portugal with a twist
The other twist of this story, is that the race is no longer in Porto and the amazing streets of Boavista with the Atlantic Ocean on the background. Vila Real is the city that welcomes the WTCC and their streets will bring joy to all.
The WTCC is back to the streets of Portugal. But, there's a twist on this story, many things have changed since the last visit to Portugal.
BMW no longer runs on this championship, Lada and Honda evolved their cars, Seat left the WTCC and Citroen is the Chevrolet.
Some drivers are no longer in WTCC, other changed to the new teams and new championships and of course, there are the newcomers. Sébastien Loeb last visit Portugal has WRC champion, Mehdi Bennani is racing with a Citroen. Hugo Valente no longer drives a Seat Leon, but a Chevrolet just like Tom Coronnel that parked his BMW and now drives a Chevrolet with DHL yellow livery. Rob Huff is making a fantastic championship with LADA
The other twist of this story, is that the race is no longer in Porto and the amazing streets of Boavista with the Atlantic Ocean on the background. Vila Real is the city that welcomes the WTCC and their streets will bring joy to all.
