TCR / 23 May 2015

MORBIDELLI SETS POLE POSITION CHALLENGE FOR TCR RACE MONZA

Italian Preaches at the Temple of Speed

The JAS Honda Civic TCR of Gianni Morbidelli will start Race 1 of the TCR International Series event here at the iconic Monza Autodromo from pole position having dominated all on-track sessions today.

The experienced Italian will take his West Coast Racing run Civic TCR to the front of the grid for the second pole position of the season. Gianni set a time of 2.00.353 to be 0.7 seconds ahead of the second place car. Team-mate Kevin Gleason went off the circuit early in the qualifying and was unable to continue. The West Coast Team expect the car to be repaired for the start of racing tomorrow but the popular American will have to start both races from the back of the grid. Igor Skuz qualified in 7th position and will start race 2 from the second row showing his continuously improving performance.

Speaking at the Pole Position Press Conference Gianni explained his emotions: “I am very happy with the Civic here. The car was perfect and I have to thanks West Coast Racing for providing me such good backing. I have lots of experience of Monza which of course helps but we worked hard in the free practice sessions this morning to settle the balance of the car and in qualifying we managed the tyres well. For sure it will be a tough race, we can see that the competition is close but my target is a podium finish for sure.”

Morbidelli starts the race in third position in the Driver’s Points League, 10 points ahead of team-mate Gleason.