BTCC, or Being Twice Champion: Congratulations!

Well, it took six months but he did it again: Omer Kinay wins his second SRS championship, once again with the Nissan Primera in the BTCC 98/99 series, after getting the first place (and the overall 19^th win, with 26 podiums out of 27 races) in his second try on Donington and a beautiful fight – both in the race and in the whole championship – with TPC’s – “The Primera Contender” – Michael Martin (15 wins and 25 podiums). Kinay, following an old tradition that wants him ending every race in Donington without tires (see here) and adding some creativity to his setup skills, started with soft tires and was able to control Martin’s comeback by hovercrafting on the track in the last lap and literally flying over the finish line at the chequered flag.

With this championship win, Kinay confirms either his driving or setupping skills, being able to reach the top of the hill against a very strong field of opponents and also showing he’s not a “one hit wonder” but at least a “two hits wonder” – or, more probably, a wonder in itself.

After the race his teammates and opponents immediately celebrated the winner with joy and sportmanship. “The next will be me”, said Matteo Venuti; while Gianluca Roncaglia stated that “Kinay took full advantage of my precious setup and racing tips”, being immediately lynched by the scandalized crowd. Meanwhile, Dario Bucalo applied once again Ted Hough’s tips and tried to imitate a Kinay’s lap from one of his track guides with a short and intense session, but passed out in sweat exhausted after T3 of his first lap.

Also Michael Martin sent his greetings to Kinay – “I could have had chances to win the championship if only my cat didn’t claim to race over me every now and then”; while David Broomhead explained why he wasn’t able to compete for the final win: “Well, I had to face tire issues throughout all the series: the consumption indicator only shows green, yellow and red, and I’m not used on managing only three colors”. Moreover, his teammate Luke Bouwmeester pledges hard times for Kinay in the next series: “I’m ready to meet him: I will race three times a week instead of two”.

Anyway, the ending is once again due to the winner: Congratulations Omer, and (once again) let’s get the party started!