The third and final TCR Eastern Europe race at Salzburgring was won by Martin Kadlečík from Aditis Racing. He held the lead despite sustained pressure from Adam Kout and remained in front when the race was red flagged with five minutes remaining following a major accident involving Jiří Zbožínek.
Žarko Knego started from pole position in his Hyundai Elantra alongside Radim Adámek’s Audi RS 3. Behind them lined up Jiří Zbožínek and Martin Kadlečík, while the winner of the previous two races, Adam Kout, started fifth.
Kadlečík made the best start and surged past Adámek into the opening chicane to take the lead. Knego held second, Zbožínek initially in fourth place, but his team-mate Kout overtook him at the long right hander at the back of the circuit.
At the front, Kadlečík gradually built a small gap over Knego, who soon came under heavy pressure from Kout. The reigning champion eventually passed Knego around the outside of Turn 12 and immediately set off in pursuit of Kadlečík, setting a series of fastest laps as he closed the gap.
As the race entered its second half, Kout was running right behind the rear bumper of the leading Audi, flashing his headlights and trying to force Kadlečík into a mistake.
With five minutes remaining, Kout began launching attacks into Turn 12, but before the battle for victory could continue, Jiří Zbožínek suffered a major accident at the same corner. He crashed heavily into the tyre barriers, causing extensive damage to the safety installation. Zbožínek was able to climb out of the car on his own, but was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks.
The race was red flagged and ended prematurely. Kadlečík was therefore declared the winner of Race 3, with Kout classified second and Knego third.
As the final classification was determined from the lap completed before the red flag, Zbožínek was still classified in fourth place despite his accident, while Adámek completed the top five in fifth.
