Championship contenders Tio Ellinas and Arthur Pic won a race apiece at round two of the MRF Challenge 2013 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
In race two, Japanese driver Yudai Jinkawa started on pole alongside compatriot Shinya Michimi in the reverse grid race. Jinkawa had a good start as Michimi and Ellinas were alongside as they headed in to the first corner. But it was Arthur Pic who pulled off a brilliant move around the outside of four cars into the first corner of lap one and didn't look back with Tio Ellinas and Harry Tincknell finishing second and third.
In the final race of the weekend, Ellinas struck back in fine fashion to beat Pic. The two championship contenders traded place five times in the first two laps before Ellinas finally pulled away to post his first win of the weekend. Sam Dejonghe passed Race one winner Rupert Svendsen-Cook on the last lap to take the final step of the podium.
A little way behind, the three Indian drivers were fighting their own battle for a top ten finish. Vikash Anand and Parth Ghorpade both collided forcing Ghorpade to retire. Raj Bharath finished in a creditable 12th position after missing out on practice and qualifying due to mechanical problems.
Results
2013 MRF Challenge, Round 2
Bahrain International Circuit
Race 2
Arthur Pic 20:36.199
Tio Ellinas 20:38.158
Harry Tincknell 20:43.158
Race 3
Tio Ellinas 20:37.018
Arthur Pic 20:47.286
Sam Dejonghe 20:49.432