First pole positions for TRACKSPEED Racing and TEAM BERLANGA

GT3 NEWS #2

First pole positions for TRACKSPEED Racing and TEAM BERLANGA

At this unusual track, qualifying sessions are more important than anywhere else, as overtaking is difficult. Wet at the beginning, but dry at the end, the conditions were tricky during the first session, where the nr 5 Trackspeed Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup driven by Richard Williams set its first pole position. The second session was rather chaotic, with three red flags. Ben Collins was the quickest, but unfortunately Collins had an accident at the end of the session with two other cars. The British driver will probably not take part in the race, as the car is badly damaged.

THE PORSCHE GETS ON WELL IN THE DIFFICULT CONDITIONS

When the weather conditions are tricky, the Porsches have always been present! The track was quite damp at the beginning of the first session, but it was drying up during the rest of the sessions. But from the start, Richard Williams, in the nr 5 Trackspeed Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup, was on a good pace, and he was the first driver to put slick tyres on. So of course Williams improved his time. After a nice battle with Erik Janis’ Lamborghini, Williams managed to set pole position, the first of the season for a Porsche, and the first pole position for him and for Trackspeed Racing in the FIA GT3 European Championship. With Jonathan Lang in 3rd position, Tom Ferrier in 4th, and Luc Paillard in 6th, the Porsches managed a great result in this session.
In second position, Erik Janis was happy to be on the first row: “That was our main goal. At such a track you need to be on the first row to expect a good result”. He is in the middle of the Porsches and he will do his best to take the lead at the first corner.

BEN COLLINS ON POLE

For the first time of the season, an Ascari set the fastest time. With two Red Flags, this session was in three different parts, and all the drivers improved in the last minutes. In the nr 33 Team Berlanga Ascari KZ1R GT3, Ben Collins managed to set the fastest time, even if the track was really busy at the end of the session. Unfortunately, after the chequered flag, Ben Collins had an accident with Martin Matzcke, in the nr 12 First Racing Lamborghini, and Jirik Jaromir, in the nr 15 S-Berg Racing Lamborghini. Those drivers were sent to the University Hospital for a check up. The cars were badly damaged, and it will be difficult for them to take part in both races, even with the teams doing their best. So it is possible that the pole setter, Ben Collins, will not take part in the second race of the week-end.
Behind Collins’ Ascari, five different cars were close. James Ruffier, in the nr 19 Riverside Corvette was second, Thomas Mutsch (Ford) third, Stephane Daoudi (Ferrari) fourth, James Pickford (Porsche) fifth and Diego Alessi (Aston Martin) sixth. With Alex Mortimer in 8th position, there were seven different makes in the top 10. The start of this race will be a great moment, as all the drivers know how important the first corner will be.

Quotes

Qualifying 1:
Richard Williams – nr 5 Trackspeed Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup, 1st: “Pole position was our target, and we succeeded in getting the pole, which is brilliant. The conditions were horrible, the track was drying up all the time, and we chose to go on slicks very early on in the session. Then it was hard because I could not have any clear laps, which is always hard on a street circuit, and even more so with 40 cars on track. Anyway I’m very happy with this pole, and I’m looking forward to the first race!”

Erik Janis – nr 15 S-Berg Racing Team Lamborghini Gallardo, 2nd: “I was lucky to have a free lap, so I pushed hard, and the time was ok. It is good to be on the first row. At such a track you need to be on the first or second row to expect a good result.”


Qualifying 2:
James Ruffier – nr 19 Riverside Corvette Z06R GT3, 2nd: “The qualifying was hard at the beginning as I couldn’t get any clear laps, and I had a problem with a tyre, so I went back to the pits in order to change it. Then there were the 2 red flags, so before the last part of the session, I did not do any fast laps! Then I had two laps, which were ok. I’m a bit disappointed because we could have got the pole position. We had a little problem with our engine, we did not have the maximum power, but it is ok. It is hard to overtake, the track is bumpy and the grip is not the same everywhere, so trust me, it is better to be in first row than in the middle of the grid! Both races will be really hard!”

Stephane Daoudi – nr 34 JMB Racing Ferrari 430, 3rd: “It was not easy! I had a good lap, where I overtook two cars, but it was enough to do a good time. We could improve, and we had to work on our set-up because I can not drive at this rhythm during the race, otherwise I will not finish it, for sure. The car is not consistent enough; we have to find a solution before the race.”

2007-05-19
Subscribe:   Subscribe with small images:   Subscribe with medium images: