Dijon: Race 1 & 2 Quotes

QUOTES Race 1 

Jean-Luc Blanchemain, nr 10 Racing Logistic Dodge Viper Competition Coupe (before being excluded): "The start was very fun, and it was not easy to find a way. I did my best to stay in contact with the leaders, and tried to preserve as much as possible our car. It is funny because the car was better and better, so I manage to stay in good position and as soon as I couldI gave the wheel to my friend, Patrick Bornhauser, who did a fantastic job.” 

Patrick Bornhauser, nr 10 Racing Logistic Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, (before being excluded): "Jean-Luc gave me a good car, but I did not know where the others were, so I pushed as much as I can. I overtook several cars, I think I was on a good pace, and before the end of the race I was in first position, so it was just perfect. For us it is a great result, and it is very important for the Championship. Jean-Luc did a great job; he does what we were expecting.” 

Leo Machitsky, nr 44 Barwell Motorsport Aston Martin DBRS9: "It was great to start the race on pole; it is my first time so it is a great experience. (Jonathan Cocker claimed the pole position, but Leo Machitsky took the start). The others were pushing hard, it was not easy to keep them behind me, and I do not really know how the Lamborghini overtook me. Then I was stuck behind the Lamborghini, and a Viper came and took us one by one. So we decided to pit early, and Johnny did a great job to come back to third position.” 

Jonathan Cocker, nr 44 Barwell Motorsport Aston Martin DBRS9: "When I came on track I pushed as hard as I could, and my goal was clearly to pass as many cars as possible. It was not easy because we had a lot of traffic, and it made it even more difficult. But I managed to do it, and it is a good result. If we had ten more minutes I’m sure I would manage to come on the leader. It was not easy to overtake the nr 24 Aston Martin, but he made a little mistake and I passed him. We finished first of the Aston Martin, but third overall. We are still working and I hope we will win very soon.” 

François-Xavier Terny, nr 19 Riverside Corvette Z06 GT3: “Being here today is quite a surprise for both of us, because I did a bad qualification session, so we started from the 14^th row, which is pretty much far away from the leaders! I did what I could, but I think I have to thank James Ruffier a lot. He is probably one of the most talented drivers in the world. I had an offer from Michael Schumacher to race with me next year, but I said ‘Michael you might be retiring but I have better than you, so it is not possible’. So James did the entire job and we are in the press conference today!” 

James Ruffier, nr 19 Riverside Corvette Z06 GT3: “I really enjoyed this race. François-Xavier did a good job, he started far away and he gives me the car around 18^th position I think. Then I pushed and I passed several cars and we got a good result. François-Xavier drives well, the car was easy to drive and we did not have any problem but we have a lot of fun. Tomorrow we will start from the pole position, so we could do even better.” 

QUOTES Race 2 : 

Sean Edwards, nr 9 Tech 9 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup: “The start was kind of appalling. A car took a jump start and took out a Corvette, Viper and an Aston out I think, and then the safety car came out. But after the safety car I got past Patrick Bornhauser. He didn’t give me too much room, I had to go over the kerb and got a little bit of contact, but I held him up and held him off, crept round the inside and kept blocking him, trying to keep him behind me as long as I could. Then I gave it over to Phil; he did a great job for the team. We were three times second, and we have finally won !” 

Phil Keen, nr 9 Tech 9 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup:  “The car was fantastic. It was my first time driving the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup. All the Tech 9 team has been doing an absolutely fantastic job on it all weekend. I’ve been finishing second all year in the British GT and have had about enough of it. So, it’s fantastic to finally win one, here in Dijon. And it’s my first time at this track too, so I had to learn that in the two hours free practice session. I came here to help Sean this weekend. This isn’t my own championship, and I hope I haven’t let him down. And I also want to thank all my sponsors.” 

Franco Groppi, nr 24 BMS Scuderia Italia Aston Martin DBRS9: “The start was dangerous; I do not understand what drivers do sometimes! I think some of them were a little bit nervous! I was very careful, and I was lucky to not be involved in the accident! Then there were so many laps under the Safety Car, it was a little bit boring. It was hard to keep the tyres warm because if we went out of the line, the track was very dirty. After the restart, my main goal was to give a perfect car to Toni, and he did a fantastic job.” 

Toni Seiler, nr 24 BMS Scuderia Italia Aston Martin DBRS9: “Franco was perfect, and he gives me a car with brand new tyres. With two or three laps, I’m sure that we could win this race. It was not easy to overtake the others, as many of the drivers close the door. It was really hot with the nr 27 Dodge Viper, because he nearly put me into the pit lane, as he did not want me to be on his right on the straight line. Anyway, I managed to pass both Vipers. The team did a great job, the car was perfect and I had fun, because on this beautiful track, when you are fighting for a podium, it is always la little bit hot to overtake the others!” 

Jean-Luc Blanchemain, nr 10 Racing Logistic Dodge Viper Competition Coupe: “Patrick Bornhauser give me the car in a good position, and we were first as we decided to stop one lap after the others. The Porsche was fastest, so my team asks me to let him go, but I stayed just behind him. Then it was pretty close with the other Viper. Then the Aston Martin arrived from another planet… Anyway we are happy with this result, we scored important point, and we will see the next race.” 

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