Ander Vilarino continued his clean sweep of Euro Racecar NASCAR Touring Series victories taking victory in the opening race of Brands Hatch’s inaugural American SpeedFest.
Vilarino was handed the lead of the race during a final 7 minute dash to the flag when Romain Iannetta, who had come from 9th on the grid made an extremely optimistic move on leader Frederic Gabillon going in to Druids.
Iannetta effectively used the #5 car as an additional brake, forcing the French driver, who had led every lap up until that point, off the track and down the field. Vilarino did not need a second invitation to take the lead, slipping up the inside and never looking back. Iannetta received a 30-second time penalty for the incident, demoting his final finishing position from second on-the-road to 17th overall.
Gabillon fought back from the incident, passing Zimmer with just a couple of minutes left on the clock to take the final spot on the podium behind Vilarino and Freddy Nordstrom.
Briton Luke Wright was at the centre of the earliest drama of the race, getting sideways through Clearways and narrowly avoiding contact with the field as he began a comeback mission, finishing in the same place he qualified, fifth.
The race saw two safety car periods, the first coming for debris in Paddock Hill bend and the second for Hugo Bec spinning his car at Druids. Gabillon led through both caution periods, and looked set to take his first win of the season before Iannetta ended his chances.
The third and final Brit, Stuart Gough, ended the race in 13th place having started from 8th on the grid.
