Tech 9 Lamborghini Gallardo and Matech Racing Ford GT claim Oschersleben poles

For the first time this season, the FIA GT3 European Championship teams enjoyed a completely dry qualifying session. That didn’t prevent several drivers spinning off, or running wide as they tried to put in their best laps. The No.47 Tech 9 Motorsport Lamborghini Gallardo GT3, driven by Christopher Haase, took pole in the first 20-minute session – the first time a Lamborghini has claimed pole since Brno last season. In the second session it was the No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT of Thomas Mutsch which was quickest, despite carrying a massive 140kg of ballast.

 

FIRST QUALIFYING – ONE LAMBORGHINI ON POLE, ONE IN THE WALL

While there were dark clouds overhead when the first qualifying session got under way, the weather remained dry throughout – by the end of the second session, the sun had broken through and temperatures were climbing. The main problem facing the drivers was how to find a clear lap on the 3.6km circuit, while still maintaining tyre temperatures. Several drivers reported struggling with understeer and a general lack of grip, which may explain the number of cars sliding wide or spinning.

 

Within six minutes of the session getting under way the No.47 Lamborghini was quickest, and for a short while we had a Lamborghini 1-2, with the No.46 Tech 9 car second-fastest – but on the very next lap Max Cattori ran off the circuit and into the Armco. The team later reported that the damage to the No.46 car, which Cattori shares with Maurizio Fabris, was sufficiently serious to put the car out for the rest of the weekend.

 

A couple of minutes later the No.17 Brixia Racing Aston Martin DBRS9 of Marcello Zani went quickest, and then improved even further to a 1:31.740; however their time at the top was short-lived, as the No.47 car responded with a 1:31.536 – and then, a lap later, with a 1:31.289. That would prove to be good enough to keep the car on top of the timesheets for the rest of the session, with the No.17 car second; third quickest was the No.8 Hexis Racing Aston Martin of Thomas Accary. Ian Khan was down in 20th position in the No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT, struggling to find the best way of adapting to the increased ballast.

 

SECOND QUALIFYING – MUTSCH ON POLE DESPITE EXTRA WEIGHT

After a delay to allow the track to be cleared of gravel, second qualifying got under way – and the times were significantly faster. After just six minutes the No.2 Martini Callaway Corvette of Sascha Bert lapped in 1:30.780, more than two seconds quicker than his nearest competitor – and, two laps later, it improved to 1:30.367.

 

For a long time it looked like those laps would be good enough to secure the pole, but gradually the competition chipped away at their advantage, closing to within a few tenths. Then, with just five minutes of the session remaining, Thomas Mutsch, in the No.20 Ford GT, claimed provisional pole with a 1:30.142 – and two laps later the pole was secured with a lap of 1:29.944, the only car to break the 1:30s barrier this weekend. Just before the session finished the No.10 Hexis Racing Aston Martin of Frédéric Makowiecki improved to 1:30.275 to claim second ahead of the No.2 Corvette; the No.1 Martini Callaway Corvette of James Ruffier was fourth.

 

There were fewer incidents in the second session, and no serious damage was sustained – with the first race following less than four hours after qualifying, this was good news for the mechanics.

 

“We were here with the German GT Masters, so I know the track well,” said Thomas Mutsch. “The car was really good; we changed the set-up after free practice, which helped - it looks good for the race.”

2008-07-05
Subscribe:   Subscribe with small images:   Subscribe with medium images: