ADAC GT Masters – Pole & third at bittersweet Red Bull Ring

South Africa’s Jordan Pepper turned in a star performance to put his Deutsche Post Bentley on pole position – his first in the series – for Saturday’s first ADAC GT Masters race at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, before driving to a fine third in Sunday’s second race. But it was not all plain sailing as Jordan and young German teammate Daniel Abt suffered the extreme disappointment of their pole-sitting car’s engine failing to eliminate them before the start of their pole position race.

“I was super happy to secure my first pole position, but it was such a disappointment not to start the race,” Jordan explained. “The team made a good decision to rather fix the damaged part and be sure to fight for a strong result today and that is exactly what happened. “

Abt made amends to put the yellow Bentley third on the grid for Sunday’s second Red Bull Ring race, before handing the car over to Pepper, who drove it home third to claim his first podium for the season after a spat up front with Laurens Vantoor’s Audi R8 and Jules Gounon’s Corvette. “I am really, really happy with Sunday’s result – it’s my first podium of the year and a perfect way to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointment.

“The weekend in general was good for the team – we knew that come race day, the competition will stop sandbagging and that they’d be harder to beat, but going forward to Nurburgring in two weeks time and I’m looking forward to keep the momentum going and I will make sure I’m 100% ready for the weekend. “The whole team’s hard work has definitely paid off – I am delighted to have been able to deliver some results to show for it.

“I would however like to dedicate my podium to Gugu Zulu and his family following Gugu’s sad passing last Sunday,” Jordan concluded. “Gugu was always an inspiration to me on and to so many other South African race drivers, on and off the racetrack – we are certainly going to miss his smile, his inspiration and his example. “Rest in peace, Gugu.”