TC2000: Jorgito Barrio celebrated with Toyota in San Juan

Almost a year ago, in September 2021, there was a breakup that brought too many consequences. For the TC2000, which was then called Super TC2000, for Toyota Gazoo Racing, which turned a corner in all directions, and for its drivers.

At that time, Matías Rossi was the brand’s benchmark in the technology category. He arrived at the Villicum circuit at the last moment and isolated, Covid was still intimidating and the then champion was alone in a rolling box, more than controlled by rivals with otherwise jealous monitoring.

And there the complaints appeared, the failure to control the inspection by the Sports Commission of the Automobile (CDA) of the Argentine Automobile Club (ACA) and Rossi, who was a strong candidate, fell into the ostracism of the sports sanction for excess of the clue.

The rage of the champion, who slammed the door in the category, the subsequent landing of Toyota Gazoo Racing in Turismo Carretera and the category that seemed adrift, before the change of reins versions that finally crystallized four months later.

All of this is Villicum for the now TC2000, which has seen how much water has passed under the bridge from that visit to San Juan to this new experience.

This time, Toyota walks away with a broad smile. His young bravery, Jorgito Barrio, the 18-year-old driver who already knows what it means to win in this category (at Neuquén this year), prevailed again.

He starts in the front row together with Agustín Canapino, who was looking for victory with Chevrolet to establish himself on the front line against the assault of Leonel Pernía (Renault) in the race. In fact, the man from Arrecife took the lead, followed by Barrio. The race did not give too many emotions, until an oil stain complicated the path of the leader. A passage under braking and there Barrio took command of the competition, never to leave it.

“It was a very tough race. They gave me a great car. We got along very well on the Villicum circuit. I suffered a lot in the race when I stepped forward. There was an oil stain. Then I ironed the rubber, locking the right front. My car vibrated a lot, ”explained Barrio, the young Pinamar driver, who drives the young blood that is already a reality in national motorsport.

“Oil made it easier for me to keep going, but then it was a lottery. But luckily I kept a very good pace which allowed me to finish ahead ”, commented Barrio.

Canapino tried to keep up with Barrio, but he must have been more concerned with the third, Pernía, than with the avant-garde. Pernía, in fact, had to block a couple of times to avoid taking the Chevrolet of the champion.

“The truth is that I had to be third rather than first. On Saturday I was very happy with the car, but I don’t know what happened for the final. The pace dropped and I managed to get to second place with just enough, as Leonel (Pernía) finished faster, ”Canapino highlighted.

“I am very happy, because with a heavy machine, weighing 60 kilos, the team has found a way to reach a very good pace. We got a fantastic result in the fight for the championship, ”Pernía underlined.

Regardless of the results, Barrio confirms the new generation in the TC2000. Barrio had already won in the category, in addition to the victory of Ignacio Montenegro (Renault), with 17 and always in the Secondaries.

Meanwhile, Toyota, unlike in 2021, leaves San Juan happy, with the triumphs of Julián santero, in the Sprint on Saturday, and Barrio, in the final.

For the championship, Pernía continues to lead, with 228 points, followed by Canapino, with 203; Key, 199 Santero, 198, and Barrio, 167. Three dates are missing at the end of the season, and the next appointment, the first weekend of October, will be the classic “200 kilometers of Buenos Aires”, the competition of the year that usually marks the trend, depending on the competition. And already all the guns are aiming for the big race.