BRNO : CHASING VANNELET AND MOSER

After the long summer break, the FIA GT3 European Championship will be back in action on the Brno circuit, which will host this Championship for the first time.  The current leaders, Henri Moser and Gilles Vannelet could mathematically claim the title next weekend, if they leave the Czech Republic with a lead of more than 20 points over their nearest rivals.  Rivals who are determined not to give in, and who will all be ready for the battle, as they are very much aware of the importance of the Brno round, as Jürgen von Gartzen commented : « Brno is going to be the last possibility for us to change the situation ».

Currently lying second, 15 points behind the leaders, Jürgen von Gartzen and Luca Pirri (Martini Callaway Racing Corvette Z06R GT3), who were extremely competitive in Monza, will do their best to put pressure on Vannelet and Moser.  Diego Alessi and Alex Frassineti (BMS Scuderia Italia Aston Martin DBRS9) as well as Stéphane Daoudi and Ian Khan (JMB Racing Ferrari 430 GT3), respectively 3rd and 4th in the classification, are also in a good position, and will have to put in their best possible performances, on a circuit which favours driving skills.

But like in every race, there are plenty of teams who can justifiably hope to step onto the top step of the podium. The Matech Concepts Ford GT cars will be serious outsiders, as will the RPM Dodge Vipers, which were among the leaders in Monza.  The Morgan Aero cars  (whose drivers include the former F1 driver Jacques Laffite and his daughter Margot) have been making steady progress, while the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup and Ascari KZ1 R cars are always waiting for the right opportunity.
Especially in Brno, the S-Berg Racing Lamborghini cars should be closely watched, most particularly those of Czech driver Jaromir Jirik, who will share the nr 15 Lamborghini Gallardo  with Jan Danis. Racing at home, Jirik will be motivated to get a good result.  Another 100% Czech team, made up of Jiri Skula and Martin Matzke, could also create a surprise in one of the Martini Callaway Corvettes. 

The fight for the Championship will therefore be refereed by plenty of competitors, all hoping for a good result, and it is the outsiders who could make all the difference in the classifications, as Henri Moser explained : « A lot of people could win, and that could help us. The more points they could take from our main competitors, the better it is for us ».
The two one-hour races on the Brno circuit will therefore be vitally important, before the grand finale in Dubai, on November 17th.  There is certain to be plenty of suspense in the Czech Republic.

Henri Moser – nr 38 Kessel Racing Ferrari 430 :
“We are not really thinking about the title yet. I have never been to Brno, but I’m used to discovering tracks. The main goal for us is to finish in a good position, we need to score points in each race and afterwards we will see our position in the FIA GT3 European Championship. We will not take too many risks, once again, scoring points is our main goal. I think this track will be good for our Ferrari as this car is very efficient in fast and slow corners. Since Monza I have raced in the Ferrari Challenge, the ADAC GT Masters and the FIA GT Championship in the Citation Cup. So I’m ready for Brno! We are confident, the car is great, the team is perfect, we have to carry on like we did at the start of the season. I think our main competitors are Luca Pirri and Jürgen von Gartzen. Diego Alessi and Alex Frasinetti could also be dangerous. But as usual the races are open, and we will have to be careful.”

Jügern von Gartzen – nr 18 Martini Callaway Racing Corvette Z06R GT3 :
“Brno is going to be very important for us. It is going to be the last possibility for us to change the situation. We were unlucky in Monza, with this disqualification because of the lack of fuel, so we have to win in Brno. All the tracks are good for the Corvette. The Corvette is a very well-balanced car, so Brno should be good, I’m optimistic. Our car was completely rebuilt during the summer, as this car had a serious crash in the ADAC GT Masters. So everything is new, also the gearbox and the engine, so we will be in good condition to fight for the victory. We are ready to put the pressure on, and the Loris Kessel Ferrari is going to be our main target.”

Diego Alessi – nr 23 BMS Scuderia Italia Aston Martin DBRS9 :
“I think Brno should be a good track for the Aston Martin : long corners and straight lines, not too fast, are, theoretically, the ideal for us. The other cars I see performing well in Brno are the Lamborghini and, obviously, the Ferrari. The circuit is quite enjoyable but, in my opinion, not particularly difficult to drive. Anyway, we will give our best for sure and we’ll strongly try to win both races, because we really want to go to Dubai still able to play our cards for the Championship!!”

Stephane Daoudi – nr 34 JMB Racing Ferrari 430 :
“This technical track is good for the Ferrari. The track is often dirty, as there is a lot of sand around the corners, and especially in the technical part so that could be slippery and dangerous. To be fast here you have to know it very well, and also it is going to be fun as it is possible to overtake there. The Championship is still open. Since the beginning of the season, each week end has been strong, and it is hard to have a favourite, even if Moser and Vannelet are quite consistent. When we did not have any trouble we are on the good pace. We have no choice; we need to win as many races as possible. It is going to be hard, but we could win this Championship, and we will manage to do our best. We are here to attack and to put pressure on the others”.

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