The Carballo circuit in A Coruña produced excellent results for the Speed Cars in the third round of the 2023 Spanish Autocross Championship. The competition held on the 8th and 9th of July registered the highest number of participants so far this season and was especially positive for the drivers who competed at the wheel of the different models manufactured by Industrias Lahoz, with two victories and two podiums in the four categories they took part in. The victories were achieved by Eduard Bañeres in the Buggy Division with his Speed Car TTR and Quim González in Car Cross Junior with the Speed Car Wonder, while both Pep Arqué in Car Cross and Pol Durán in Car Cross Series, got to the podium after finishing third in their respective finals with two other Wonder.
Almost perfect weekend for Eduard Bañeres in Carballo. The Speed Car TTR driver was the fastest in the qualifying session, won two of the three heats, being second in the only one he didn't win, and dominated the final from start to finish to achieve his first victory of the season in the Buggy Division. With this result, Bañeres consolidates his place in the group of title contenders as the competition approaches the halfway point of its calendar.
As for Sabino García, after the bad luck suffered in Esplús, this time he was able to complete the eight laps of the final with his TTX without any problems, qualifying eighth after having registered the sixth fastest time in the timed session and starting from ninth on the grid in the decisive race after having finished third, fourth and fifth in the three heats.
Speed Car was once again the most represented brand in the always crowded Car Cross category with a total of eight vehicles (seven of the new Wonder and one of the still competitive Xtrem) among the thirty-four participants who sought their place in the final of the top fifteen. Among them were five Speed Cars, with Pepe Arqué's Wonder being the best classified for the second consecutive race. The young Catalan driver was always in the top positions of the table as he set the second fastest time in the timed session, was first, second and third in his three qualifying heats and finished third in the final. With this new podium, Arqué remains in the fight for the championship.
The other four Speed Cars that reached the final were grouped together in seventh to tenth place. Seventh place went to Arnau Biosca in his Xtrem, followed by the Wonder of Pedro Matador, who finished eighth, Borja González, ninth under the chequered flag, and Juanjo Moll, who completed the top ten just two tenths of a second behind his teamm
Pol Durán and Josep Aranda remain at the top of the Car Cross Series championship despite the fact that neither of them were able to repeat in Carballo the victories achieved in the previous rounds of the season with their Speed Car Wonder. On this occasion Pol crossed the finish line in fourth position and Josep in fifth, but the subsequent disqualification of a rival meant that they moved up to third and fourth place respectively, results with which they continue to occupy the top two positions in the overall championship standings.
Right behind was Juan Manuel García Pandiella, who repeated his fifth place in Esplus, confirming his progress at the wheel of the Speed Car Wonder.
Victory and overall lead in the Junior Championship for Quim González, who is improving with every race and in Carballo dominated with authority at the wheel of his Speed Car Wonder. After setting the third fastest time in the timed session, the Escudería Lleida driver won his three qualifying heats and led the final race from start to finish to score his first victory of the season and move up to first place in the overall championship standings.
With the other Speed Car Wonder present in the category for the youngest drivers of Spanish Autocross, Joan Aranda finished twelfth, scoring points for the second time this season.
Pictures: CEAX RFEdA press service
