Lassa V1 Draws Big Crowd in Izmir

The Lassa V1 Challenge 2015 continued with its second race at the Izmir Ülkü Race Track. A field of 22 hard-charging drivers took the start, and the competition brought crashes and contact with it. With protests flying around after the race, the action-packed contest delighted both the enthusiasts who came to the track and the viewers watching on TV.

VICTORY AND 10,000 TL GO TO IZMIR'S CAN TOLON

Having made his claim at Izmir Park in qualifying, Tolon started with the aim of finishing ahead of Yağız Avcı, who had beaten him in the first round at the Kocaeli circuit. Starting from pole position in the first Izmir race, Tolon took a comfortable win, and for the second race the rules put him on the grid in 12th place. Passing his rivals one by one, Can again managed to finish first, levelling on points with Yağız Avcı. In a race where the winner took 10,000 TL, the runner-up 4,000 TL and the third-placed driver 2,000 TL, Turkish Rally Champion Yağız Avcı finished second, while 17-year-old Toprak Candan, a young talent who does not yet hold a driving licence, came third.

ÜMİT ERDİM BECAME THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT NAME OF THE RACE

At the start of the second race at Izmir Park, actor Ümit Erdim rolled twice and stayed inside his VOLKICAR for a while, but walked away from the crash unhurt. After climbing out of the car and waving to the spectators, Ümit Erdim joined the crowd to watch the race. The VOLKICAR, whose strength had already been proven at the Izmir race by Menderes Okur's 11 rolls, ensured that Ümit Erdim escaped the accident without so much as a bloody nose.

YOUNG AND MASTER DRIVERS ALIKE AIM HIGH

Lassa V1 is also the choice of young drivers looking for a chance to make a name for themselves, and it continues to bring new names into the sport. 17-year-old Toprak Candan took third overall and won the youth class, with Ayhancan Güven second and Ali Türkkan third among the young drivers. In the Master category, where experienced drivers are rediscovering the feel of competition in Lassa V1, Özgür Gür won, Burak Ertem was second and Burak Sohtorik third.

Lassa V1 will continue on 30 August with the third race, to be held at the İzmit Körfez Circuit. Avcı and Tolon, level on points after the first two races, will take the start at Körfez to tip the balance in their favour. In the other categories the excitement will carry on without letting up.