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INTERNATIONAL WRAP: WRC GERMANY & AUSSIES OVERSEAS

Ott Tanak on his way to winning WRC Germany - Photo: LAT

By Bruce Williams

Ott Tanak on his way to winning WRC Germany - Photo: LAT

Ott Tanak on his way to winning WRC Germany – Photo: LAT

WRC – RALLY GERMANY– ROUND 10

Ott Tanak has claimed his second win of the 2017 WRC season on the tarmac roads of Germany.

The M-Sport Ford driver setup up the victory with solid drives on the opening two days of the rally. Allowing him to cruise through the final stages of the event to before taking the win.

“What can I say, this has been a very tricky rally and there were a lot of other favourites but we just did everything right,” said Tanak.

“We’ve won on Tarmac and we know we can win on gravel, so now there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be challenging for victory everywhere.

“It’s been a great weekend and I think we made the difference on Friday. It was a really clean run and we were very brave on the tyre choices which turned out to be a good call. After that it was just a case of controlling the lead.

“Another win feels good and with three events to go I don’t see why we shouldn’t be looking to the guys ahead and to the championship lead ourselves. If you want to fight for the championship you have to keep winning, and that is what we plan to do.”

Tricky conditions and narrow roads in Germany made it difficult for the teams. Citreon’s Kris Meeke was the first casualty of the event, crashing out of the opening Super Special Stage.

Championship leader, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, also had issues. His rear suspension failed on the second day of the event, leaving him unable to complete the days running. His team mate, Dani Sordo, crashed out in spectacular fashion on the first day in the German vineyards.

Andreas Mikkelsen gave Citroen a much needed second place in the rally. While Sébastien Ogier finished third for M-Sport, moving into the Championship lead with Neuville’s issues.

Juho Hänninen was the best of the Toyota drivers in fourth. Kiwi Hayden Paddon was the best of the Hyundai drivers in eighth.

INDYCAR – POCONO– ROUND 14

Will Power took the IndyCar win at Pocono - Photo: LAT

Will Power took the IndyCar win at Pocono – Photo: LAT

Will Power has bounced back from going a lap down in the opening stages of the IndyCar race a Pocono to win.

The Aussie dropped a lap after having issues with his front wing in the early stages of the race and was forced to pit early. He then suffered further issues with his rear wing after contact with Charlie Kimball.

That didn’t hold Power back for too long though. Clever strategy and a fortunate caution period in the middle of race allowed Power to regain his lap and then started to chase down the leaders.

Power then claimed the lead in the final round of pit stops.

“Once I got my lap back, I was like, ‘All right, it’s game on,’ I can definitely get back up there,” said Power.

“I was thinking like top-5 (finish), but when I was pumping out like 217 (mph) laps, I’m like, ‘OK, we’re going to make some serious hay here.’

“The guys did a fantastic job in the pits having to do all that and still able to go ahead and win the race.”

Fellow Team Penske driver, Josef Newgarden, finished in second extending his championship lead over Kiwi Scott Dixon, who finished sixth in the race, to 18 points with three rounds left.

WORLD SUPERBIKE – GERMANY– ROUND 9

Chaz Davies dominated the World Superbikes at Lausitzring - Photo: LAT

Chaz Davies dominated the World Superbikes at Lausitzring – Photo: LAT

Ducati’s Chaz Davies has dominated the World Superbike round at Lausitzring in Germany, winning both races of the weekend.

Davies charged his way from sixth on the grid in the first race of the weekend to take the win over the Kawasaki duo of Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes who finished second and third.

The second race of the weekend was more difficult for the Ducati, having climb his way from ninth in wet and tricky conditions to take the win with a two second lead over his nearest competitor, Rea. Fellow Ducati rider Marco Melandri rounded out the podium.

A pair of second places sees Rea extend his championship lead over teammate Sykes to 70 points. The championship continues in Portugal on the 15th-17th of September.

NASCAR – BRISTOL

Kyle Busch won in all three NASCAR series at Bristol - Photo: LAT

Kyle Busch won in all three NASCAR series at Bristol – Photo: LAT

Kyle Busch took out the win in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol capping off a perfect week for Busch who won all three NASCAR series ( Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series) races at the venue.

Busch’s second Cup Series win of the year was a hard fought battle with Erik Jones, who held the lead at the final restart of the race on Lap 422 after eight caution periods.

“Man, Erik Jones put up a whale of a fight,” said Busch.

“That’s all I had. I was running with my tongue hanging out. My arms were Jello and my throat hurts, but man that’s awesome.

“Can’t say enough about everybody on my Joe Gibbs Racing team. Adam Stevens (crew chief) and the guys are phenomenal. Car might not have been perfect, but I’m never perfect. I never feel like we’re perfect, but this Caramel Camry was fast. So proud of these guys, so proud of my team, so proud of Joe Gibbs Racing. So proud of Rowdy Nation, this one’s for you.”

The win secures Busch spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, with three of the 16 playoff spots still up for grabs.

AUSSIES OVERSEAS

Joey Mawson competing in Formula 3 - Photo: LAT

Joey Mawson competing in Formula 3 – Photo: LAT

EUROPEAN FORMULA 3

It was a tough weekend for Joey Mawson in the European Formula 3 at Zandvoort.

A best result of ninth in the third and final race of the weekend was all that the young Aussie could muster. Contact in the second race didn’t do him any favours, sending him down to the order.

AUDI TT CUP

Drew Ridge also had a difficult weekend in the Audi TT Cup races at Zandvoort. The young Aussie had tyre delaminations in both races which saw a good results go begging.

In the first race he managed to finish eighth. While in the second race, where he was on track for a second place, ending up finishing sixth.

For a more detailed analysis of the weekends international motorsport, pick up the next issue of Auto Action Magazine, on sale Thursday. In the mean time make sure you follow Auto Action on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for all the latest updates.