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Race report

A pair of independent podiums for Bamboo Engineering in Slovakia

Alex MacDowall crossed the line in 8th position and as the leading Yokohama Independent driver.

Alex MacDowall, Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, bamboo-engineering

Alex MacDowall, Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, bamboo-engineering

FIA WTCC

Bamboo Engineering left the SlovakiaRing after a robust weekend of racing with a pair of Yokohama Trophies, taking to the top step of the Independent Podium for both Race 1 and Race 2. This leaves the Bamboo drivers as follows in the overall drivers championship, Nash 1st in the Yokohama Trophy and 5th overall, MacDowall 3rd in the Yokohama Trophy and 9th overall.

Alex MacDowall, Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, bamboo-engineering
Alex MacDowall, Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, bamboo-engineering

Photo by: XPB Images

The rolling start of race 1 saw Nash capitalise and jump from his starting position of 7th to 4th tussling with Muller and then settling in 5th after turn 2. Nash pushed hard in the early laps to keep his distance from Coronel’s BMW behind him but as the rear wheel drive BMW got stronger in the closing stages of the race Nash could hold on no longer and crossed the line in 6th, but as the leading independent. MacDowall started in 7th but after the pushing and shoving of the first turn found himself in 8th, he pushed Nykjaer hard all race but couldn't capitalise in the closing stages to cross the line in 8th, and 3rd in the Yokohama Trophy.

With back to back races, the cars were immediately back out for the standing start of race 2. Nash started 3rd on the grid with MacDowall just behind him in 5th. MacDowall got the stronger start of the pair but both drivers were pushed back and by the end of lap 1, Nash was 8th and MacDowall was 11th.

This was to be short lived after contact, Nash ended up in the gravel and back in 23rd place. MacDowall got his head down, passing Bennani and pushing Michelisz hard until the Hungarian retired and MacDowall crossed the line in 8th position and as the leading Yokohama Independent driver.

Nash battled hard to get back up the field but minor damage prevented him from getting any higher than 17th where he crossed the line.

Alex MacDowall: “I’m pleased with this weekends result, Slovakia was one of my weakest tracks last year and I’ve come away with a Yokohama 3rd and 1st and 2 8th place finishes. Every race sees me grow more comfortable in the Chevrolet Cruze and I cant wait for the rest of the season.”

James Nash: “It’s been a bitter sweet day for me, my great start in race 1 put me in a position to race but the contact in race 2 ruled me out, frustrating when it happens through no fault of your own, still I’m leading the Yokohama Trophy and 5th overall, just 6 points off 3rd.”

Richard Coleman – Chief Executive – Bamboo Engineering, “We always knew Slovakia was going to challenge us, still to come away with 2 Yokohama wins and 2nd in the Yokohama Teams trophy feels pretty good.”

The next round of the WTCC is at the famed Hungaroring in Hungary next weekend, the 4th & 5th May, full coverage can be found on Eurosport and online via Eurosport Player.

Bamboo Engineering

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