V8 Racing masters opening races of Competition102 GT4 European Series at Nogaro

Dutchmen Luc Braams / Duncan Huisman and Jelle Beelen / Marcel Nooren have both won with their Chevrolets Camaro a race in the opening weekend of the Competition102 GT4 European Series at the Nogaro race track in France. They were joined on the podium by Jörg Viebahn (GER) who finished third in race one. André Grammatico secured a well-fought win in the AM category and finished third overall on Monday. The Frenchman mastered the track with his BMW M3 GT4 very well and was able to hold off his main rivals after an exciting battle in race two.
The V8 Racing drivers were often found at the front of the field, challenging each other for the win. In the first race Braams / Huisman finished first after a battle for the lead in the closing stage of the race. In the chaotic second race it was Beelen / Nooren who drove the Chevrolet Camaro GT4 to victory by the smallest of margins. “I was very nervous and was walking up and down the pit lane,” said Beelen while he watched his team mate Nooren claiming the win. “We know we are forming a strong team, but winning in my first GT4 race weekend is something that I hoped for but not expected to happen. Amazing!”

Germans Jörg Viebahn and Hendrik Still also received a fair share of attention. First Viebahn collided with Still who misjudged the corner and hit the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 driver from behind. In the second it was Rob Severs (NED) who unfortunately touched Viebahn. However, the experienced race car driver was able to finish third in race one. Still unfortunately retired on both occasions with the brand new Sin R1 GT4 vehicle. First after the collision with Viebahn and on Monday he came in contact with Ricardo van der Ende when the Dutchman rejoined the track with his Mustang FR500C. Just seconds later the reigning champion crashed. “I didn’t have any brakes and went straight into the barriers,” said Van der Ende, who was unharmed.

Grammatico also reached the podium. While driving at this home track, the Frenchman suffered an unfortunate crash in race one caused by a technical issue with the brake pedal. But due to a great performance he was able to hold off his main rivals. “I really needed to look around me to avoid any incidents,” said Grammatico. “We were racing extremely close, but that was very exciting. I’m very happy that I kept the Lotus and Porsche behind me.”

Both races at the Nogaro race track can be watched relive at www.gt4series.com. The next race is scheduled to take place on 22-24 May at Circuit Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

COUPES DE PÂGUES – CIRCUIT PAUL ARMAGNAC – NOGARO – 4 – 6 APRIL
Competition102 GT4 European Series race 1: 1. Luc Braams / Huisman, Chevrolet Camaro, 31 laps in 52:58,701 minutes (127,7 km/h), 2. Nooren / Beelen, Chevrolet Camaro, at 5,461 seconds, 3. Viebahn, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, at 17,486, 4. Severs / Knap, BMW M3 GT4, at 19,772, 5. Krebs / Klasen, Porsche Cayman 981 SP, at 58,810, 6. Still, Sin R1 GT4, at 1:15,867, 7. Liesette Braams, BMW M3 GT4, at 1:17,225 (1st am), 8. Lefterov, Lotus Evora GT4, at 1:23,069 (2nd am), 9. Uckermann, Lotus Evora GT4, at 1 lap (3rd am).

Not classified: Grigorov / Tzonev, Sin R1 GT4 at 18 laps, Grammatico, BMW M3 GT4, at 25 laps and Van Oranje / Van der Ende, Ford Mustang FR500C, at 27 laps.

Competition102 GT4 European Series race 2: 1. Nooren / Beelen, Chevrolet Camaro, 30 laps at 52:09,213 minutes (125,5 km/h), 2. Huisman / Luc Braams, Chevrolet Camaro, at 0,630 seconds, 3. Grammatico, BMW M3 GT4, at 0,898 (1st am), 4. Klasen / Krebs, Porsche Cayman 981 SP, at 1,631 (2nd am), 5. Uckermann, Lotus Evora GT4, at 11,750 (3rd am), 6. Lefterov, Lotus Evora GT4, at 20,686, 7. Liesette Braams, BMW M3 GT4, at 25,112, 8. Viebahn, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, at 2:48,111 minutes, 9. Grigorov / Tzonev, Sin R1 GT4, at 1 lap and 10. Severs / Knap, BMW M3 GT4, at 8 laps.

Not classified: Van Oranje / Van der Ende, Ford Mustang FR500C, at 25 laps and Hendrik Still, Sin R1 GT4, at 25 laps.