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TCR Eastern Europe is heading to Slovakia Ring for the third round of this season. So far, from two events and four races, two winners have emerged – reigning champion Maťo Homola and newcomer Attila Bucsi. Will any driver be fast enough to beat these dominating competitors at Slovakia?
The results have been remarkably consistent: Homola, with his Hyundai Elantra from Hyundai Janík Motorsport, wins the first race of the weekends, while Bucsi, with his Hyundai i30 N TCR, wins the second races. This pattern was seen at the opening round at Balaton Park and again at Red Bull Ring. So, what can we expect at Slovakia Ring?
Homola and Bucsi will have the heaviest cars on the grid. Homola’s teammate, Adam Kout, who has finished second in three races and sits just behind the two in the drivers‘ standings, might find an opportunity here. Italian driver Giacomo Ghermandi, who has shown great pace in the opening races with his Honda Civic from MM Motorsport, also stands a chance. Ghermandi was very close to winning at Slovakia Ring last year, giving him a solid foundation to build upon.
But don’t underestimate René Kircher from the Mertel Motorsport team. The young German driver, racing with a Honda Civic, was a championship contender last year. Although he hasn’t topped the results yet this year, he certainly has the pace to fight for a win. Kircher’s teammate, Davit Kajaia, has had a streak of bad luck, with his best result being a sixth place so far.
Martin Kadlečík will be back behind the wheel of the Audi RS3 of the Aditis Racing team. He excelled during his debut at Balaton Park, finishing second. Kadlečík will be joined by team owner Radim Adámek in the second Audi. Expres Auto Racing continues to score points thanks to Petr Čížek and Vít Smejkal with their Cupra cars. Ivars Vallers, driving an Audi, recorded his best results in his TCR Eastern Europe career at Red Bull Ring with a third-place finish, so he is motivated to bring home another good result.
Žarko Knego is returning to Slovakia Ring, where he raced with his Hyundai Elantra for the first time last year. Jiří Zbožínek will once again be the third driver in the Hyundai Janík Motorsport team, and Mertel Motorsport will again field a third Honda for Jorden Dolischka.
The first race of the weekend will be on Saturday at 14:50. The second race will take place on Sunday at 11:05.
