Another enthralling VW Racing Cup round saw recent entry, Dennis Strandberg claim a hard fought victory. Despite briefly losing the lead, he soon regained his composure holding on in front of the opposition.
From pole, Strandberg made strong start, holding off the pressure into the first corner. Behind him, Bobby Thompson went side by side with Jack Walker-Tully into Eau Rouge. At first it was Walker-Tully who pulled ahead, but failed to maintain momentum along the Kemmel Straight.
Benjamin Wallace spun as he entered Eau Rouge, briefly causing a yellow flag. Fortunately, he recovered, even managing to gain a place on Cameron Thompson after the Sciricco driver made a detour later in the race.
Walker-Tully fell behind Bobby Thompson and Phil House on the opening lap, but soon regained his compsure, moving up to third as the leading duo fought.
As the cars barrelled on to the second lap, B Thompson kept in the slipstream of Strandburg overtaking him into the final sector.
Strandberg may have dominated qualifying, though he appeared to be struggling in the early part of the race as Walker-Tully was added to his radar. It didn’t last long though, as the #4 made the most of a late burst in performance.
A small mistake for B Thompson saw him fall back into the clutches of Strandburg, allowing the #4 to take the lead once again and dropping Bobby to third. A three-way fight for the win soon emerged as fourth placed House fell back.
Strandburg would eventually take the win with Walker-Tully a cars length behind him. B Thompson had fallen back later in the race, but still came home third ahead of House and Toby Davis.
Rounding out the top eight was Kenan Dole, Tom Witts and the rapid Simon Rudd. A strong pack saw plenty of action as Thompson looks to build his championship lead in race two. Strandberg meanwhile will want to make the most of the opportunity.
