19.04.2004 EUROPEAN ALFA CHALLENGE: TIM CORONEL AND SIMONE IACONE WIN A RACE EACH IN VALENCIA

Over the weekend at the Spanish circuit of Valencia, the second round of the European Alfa Challenge, the international series for Alfa 147 GTA Cup racers, was held over two races.

Tim Coronel stormed to victory in both races, however, after the second one, a decision by the stewards saw the Dutchman receive a four second penalty due to a contact with Murray, handing the victory to Italian pilot Simone Iacone.

Coronel started from the pole position in race 1, and maintained the leader from the first to the last lap, defending his position from Rory Bertram, who had been alongside him on the front row. After the third lap, Campani moved up to second while, Bertram and Iacone, became locked in a battle for third place.

During the sixth lap, Iacone dived inside Bertram and the podium positions remained the same until the finish, after oil on the track saw the safety-car deployed from the ninth lap onwards.

A fierce fight took place during the second race for all the top five positions. Coronel and Campani battled for the lead from the moment the lights went green and, from half distance, Murray and Iacone also had opportunities to win.

The final corner saw Murray lose three positions after contact with Coronel and Campani, the pair being penalised by the stewards after the race with a four and three second penalty respectively, which left Iacone, Bertram and Murray in the first three places.

Race 1: 1. Coronel, 12 laps in 27:34.454; 2. M.Campani +1.132; 3. Iacone a +1.685; 4. Murray a +2.119; 5. Villamil a +2.690; 6. Bertram a +3.264; 7. Chacon a +3.843; 8. Armetta a +4.263; 9. Heino a +5.716; 10. Giraudi a +6.329.

Race 2: 1. Iacone, 12 laps in 23:48.295; 2. Bertram a +1.208; 3. Murray a +1.605; 4. M.Campani a +1.809; 5. Coronel a +1.949; 6. Brogi a +2.741; 7. Chacon a +2.846; 8. Villamil a +4.480; 9. Larini a +6.061; 10. Armetta a +6.898.

European Alfa Challenge Championship standings ( after 4 races ), Overall: 1. Iacone 144; 2. Bertram 136; 3. Coronel 126; 4. M.Campani 113; 5. Larini 79; 6. Heino 76; 7. Chacon, Brogi 72; 9. Murray 64; 10. Jirik, Villamil 60.

Under 25: 1. Iacone 144; 2. Bertram 136; 3. Heino 76; 4. Chacon 72; 5. Murray 64. Classifica debuttanti 1. Heino 76; 2. Chacon 72; 3 Brogi 72; 4. Murray 64; 5. Jirik 60; Teams: 1. Orbit Autosport 262; 2. PRS Group 232; 3. Antonelli Sport 207; Twin-Class: 1. Buratti/N. Campani 17; 2. Mancin/Stanco 16.