Rinaldi wins his first STK600 race after dominating in Jerez
Fernandez joins Rinaldi on podium, the pair claiming maiden top 3 positions in the sun.
With newly crowned Champion Toprak Razgalioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) withdrawing from the penultimate race of the season after Free Practice yesterday at Jerez the way was clear for a new name to challenge for victory.
Starting from Pole Position Michael Ruben Rinaldi (San Carlo Team Italia) hit the front leading every lap, eventually converting his number one spot in qualifying to a maiden victory by 1.571s after 13 intense laps.
Second went to Augusto Fernandez (Pata Honda Junior Team) who notched up his first podium finish, the reigning EJC champion coming home a lonely 2nd after a controlled and mature race from the Spanish teenager.
The main action on track was all about the final spot on the podium as a group of 5 fought from lights to flag with 3rd eventually going to Davide Stirpe (Scuderia Maranga Racing) just ahead of Andrea Tucci (San Carlo Team Italia), Niki Tuuli (Kallio Racing) and Axel Bassani (Berclaz Racing Team) who completed the top 6. For Stirpe the delight was evident, the Italian taking his 2nd podium of the year after a last corner pass on his compatriot Tucci.
The final round of the championship takes place in France at Magny-Cours in a fortnight.
