Heats down

With four heats completed here in Portugal, its Timur Timerzyanov who sits on top of the immediate classification, before the semi-finals and finals take place this afternoon. Fastest time in both heats three and four sealed top spot for the Russian driver.

While things are going well for Timerzyanov, things aren’t so rosy for his Hansen Motorsport team mates. Alexander Hvaal failed to finish heat three with another misfire problem in his Citroen DS3, but struck back with fourth fastest time in heat four. Things were looking up for Timmy Hansen, third fastest in the third heat. On the last lap of heat four however, his Citroen DS3 lost oil pressure, putting the car into limp mode. Hansen crawled around to finish the race, albeit 50 seconds slower than he would otherwise have been. Hansen Motorsport are investigating the problem.

Petter Solberg also had issues in heat four. An electrical problem found by his team just minutes before he was due on the grid and could not be solved, he missed the race. His team are working hard to resolve the problem before the semi-finals take place after the lunch break.

Knut Ove Borseth finished heat four, but the team have since discovered engine issues with his Skoda Fabia. They are still deciding what to do, but at this stage of the event a 15-point penalty for changing the engine would not be worth taking, with only 12 points further points available today for winning both the semi-final and final.

Those that have missed the cut for the semi-finals include Michael De Keersmaecker, who won his race in heat four but is still becoming accustomed to his new steed. Team mate Andy Scott sits just one place behind. A spirited drive in the last heat saw a close duel win Ronny Scheveneels, the latter then getting black flagged for his involvement in the fight.

Those who have missed the cut can still move up however, if any of the others above them cannot start due to problems, and with Borseth and Solberg experiencing issues all is not over yet.

Timur Shigaboutinov is the main front runner of note out of position in Super1600, the Russian ninth fastest in both heats three and four, unable to make up for his DNF yesterday when he got beached in the first corner gravel trap. Sitting on top of the order in Super1600 is Latvian Reinis Nitiss.

Robin Larsson has made it a clean sweep of fastest times through the heats in TouringCar. Derek Tohill sits in fifth following his poor day yesterday, he will be hoping to repeat his fight-back heroics from Lydden Hill in the final.

Full results here

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