Blog

The title-deciding final race of the TCR Eastern Europe championship at Balaton Park produced plenty of drama and ultimately a double triumph for Hyundai Janík Motorsport, Adam Kout clinching the championship and Jiří Zbožínek taking his first-ever series victory.

Žarko Knego started from pole position in a Hyundai Elantra alongside Jiří Zbožínek. Behind them lined up Petr Čížek in a Cupra and Bartosz Groszek in an Audi RS3. On the third row were the title contenders: Adam Kout in a Hyundai Elantra and Martin Kadlečík in an Audi RS3. Luka Fabijančič and Bojan Miljković filled the fourth row, with Nemanja Milovanović just behind.

Knego dropped to fifth in the opening corner, while Zbožínek seized the lead ahead of Čížek and Kadlečík. Kout kept a cool head and stayed sixth after the first lap. But the title fight was effectively settled on lap two at Turn 1, as Knego collided with Kadlečík and eliminated them both. That incident ended Kadlečík’s championship hopes, deciding the title in Kout’s favor. Unfortunately through a collision rather than on-track results.

The safety car was deployed with the order: Zbožínek, Čížek, Groszek, Kout, Milovanović, Fabijančič, and Miljković.

Racing resumed with 12 minutes remaining. Zbožínek held the lead, trying to pull away as Čížek defended second from Groszek. A few minutes later, Kout managed to overtake Groszek and set off after Čížek. He eventually found a way past to move into second, following teammate Zbožínek to the finish line and giving Hyundai Janík Motorsport a 1–2 result. For Zbožínek, it marked his maiden victory in TCR Eastern Europe.

Čížek successfully held off Groszek to claim his second podium of the season. Milovanović finished fifth, Fabijančič sixth, and Miljković seventh.

Hyundai Janík Motorsport also clinched the teams’ championship, overturning a big points deficit to Aditis Racing thanks to their 1–2 finish and Kadlečík’s DNF.

Race Results

• Share: