Thanks to the BMW cars superb starting capabilities, Jörg Müller stormed through the front row SEATs to enter the first corner in the lead. Fellow Team BMW Germany driver, Dirk Müller also shot off the line promoting himself from 6th to 2nd within seconds.

The race was then on between them with Dirk the victor. Tarquini’s speed off the line was less successful and dropped down to fourth with SEAT Sport team-mate Rydell in front of him. At the first corner, Tavano in his N.technology Alfa Romeo and BMW Team Italy-Spain’s Costa, went off.

As the race ensued, Dirk began to close the gap between himself and Jörg. It was edged down until on lap 9 Dirk made a smooth manoeuvre at Lycée bend and managed to hold the car and defend his position to cross the line 0.436 ahead of his team-mate and fellow countryman. Rydell was always close to the action in León but couldn't quite challenge for a top 2 position.




Meanwhile, there was a contest between Britons, James Thompson and Andy Priaulx for 7th. Priaulx managed to close the gap to just 0.369 of a second but did not overtake, finishing 8th and therefore secured pole for Race 2.

Robert Huff passed the chequered place in 9th position, the best of the Chevrolet team. For most of the race Yvan Muller was sandwiched in between the Chevrolet cars of Larini and Huff but eventually finished 13th.

Independent drivers Luca Rangoni (Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si) and Tom Coronel (GR Asia SEAT Toledo) were involved in a battle from the start as the former worked his way from 14th to 9th within the first lap. Coronel overtook the Italian on lap two and stayed ahead to finish top independent and 10th overall.