Competition102 GT4 European Series: paddock stories from the Hungaroring
The Competition102 GT4 European Series teams experienced a great weekend at the Hungaroring. It was the first time the series raced at the Hungarian Grand Prix circuit and most of the drivers liked the track and the atmosphere around the circuit. Over the race weekend, 39 500 spectators attended the DTM event in Hungary and they were treated to some exciting GT4 races.
PROsport Performance drivers and series points leaders Jörg Viebahn and Peter Terting scored their third victory of the season in the first round on Saturday evening, while Villorba Corse drivers Luca Anselmi and Patrick Zamparini took victory in the second race on Sunday morning. The Italians were quick all weekend, but a puncture in Saturday’s race wrecked their chances of a perfect weekend. PROsport Performance was also successful in the GT4 AM category on Saturday, with Street Art Racing’s Jérôme Demay and Damien Dupont winning the second race on Sunday.
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Stéphane Ratel confirms Competition102 GT4 European Series plans in Hungary
Stéphane Ratel (Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group) attended the fifth round of the 2016 Competition102 GT4 European Series in Hungary, the first event after SRO unveiled its plans for the near future at the 24 Hours of Spa. On Saturday he met with the GT4 teammanagers, drivers and manufacturer representatives and confirmed SRO’s exciting plans for the booming GT4 category. The extra meeting gave the teams the opportunity to ask questions about the planned GT4 European Series Northern Cup and GT4 European Series Southern Cup.
Several teams have already shown interest in the two series, although it is too early to tell how many cars will be on the grid at Misano and Nogaro next year. Ratel also confirmed the GT4 European Series Southern Cup will have two 60-minute races per weekend, while the race length for the GT4 European Series Northern Cup will either be 50 minutes plus one lap or 60 minutes. The dates for the GT4 European Series rounds at Zandvoort and Spa are yet to be confirmed. No decision has yet been made on whether the series will race in Austria or Hungary.
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Porsche debuts
Less than two months after being introduced at Spa-Francorchamps, the Porsche GT4 Clubsport MR made its race debut in the Competition102 GT4 European Series at the Hungaroring. Allied Racing’s Jan Kasperlik, who holds the GT4 AM points lead as the series heads to Zandvoort, raced the Porsche in Hungary.
In only his second race in the new car and on a circuit he had never raced at before, the German secured a fourth place finish. “It was more difficult than we thought, when compared to the BMW M3 GT4. The mid-engined Porsche requires a different driving style. It’s really something else. We need to work on the car…and the driver,” said Kasperlik.
Having tried an Aston Martin at Spa-Francorchamps, Luc Braams and Duncan Huisman also made their Porsche debut in the Competition102 GT4 European Series. “The brakes are great on the Porsche and eventually we had a good race setup, but due to the configuration of the Hungaroring we were unable to take advantage of the high cornering speed of the Porsche. We’re now hoping for a BoP-adjustment for Zandvoort, so that we can fight for a podium position again and finish the season on a high,” said Huisman.
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Liesette Braams and Gaby Uljee: Going once, going twice
Liesette Braams missed the Competition102 GT4 European Series races at Spa-Francorchamps after undergoing surgery, but she was back in action at the Hungaroring. Braams, who raced in one of the Allied Racing BMW M3 GT4s, was joined for the occasion by fellow Dutch driver Gaby Uljee.
”I think we drove the race of our lives. Due to a shortened second qualifying we started from way back on the grid, but we did everything we could and cut through the field,” Uljee said after the second race in Hungary.
After finishing in eighth and fifth place at the Hungaroring, the racing divas have decided to continue their partnership for the season finale at Zandvoort next weekend. At their home circuit Braams and Uljee will both go head-to-head with their partners, as Tim Coronel will return to the series after a one-race break.
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Swede memories
Bald Eagle Racing and Primus Racing joined the regular Competition102 GT4 European Series teams at the Hungaroring and drivers Oskar Krüger, Kari Mäkinen, Peter Larsen and Johan Rosen were really enjoying themselves and took home some silverware.
Despite starting from the back of the grid in Sunday’s race, the Bald Eagle Racing BMW M3 GT4 of Oskar Krüger and Kari Mäkinen finished third in GT4 AM. “During qualifying we didn’t watch the timing screens and therefore didn’t set a time in the second qualifying. We had low expectations as a result, but finished third in class. It was a weekend never to forget.”
“A thousand thanks for a magnificent weekend. It was a memory for life, it was just perfect,” added Primus Racing driver Peter Larsen. Larsen and teammate Rosen claimed two ninth place finishes with their Ginetta G55 GT4. The Swedes are looking at options to compete in the series in 2017.
Next race at Zandvoort
The final race of the season will be held at Zandvoort circuit on October, 9. Two 50-minute races are set to take place next weekend. Three teams are still in contention to win the 2016 Competition102 GT4 European Series PRO title, while GT4 AM is also undecided. Four teams could still win the title. The races will be streamed live, including commentary, on www.gt4series.com/live.
Competition102 GT4 European Series
The Competition102 GT4 European Series consist of six rounds, held at premier race tracks in Europe and partnering top level GT or touring car championships except from the last round in Zandvoort where the GT4 category will be the main programme. The championship includes two endurance races and one round at a street course.
Competition102, unique fuel for maximum performance
Competition102 is premium petrol with an octane number of 102. The unique high octane number of 102 (RON 102) and MON number of at least 90 ensures optimal performances. Competition102 is suitable for all petrol-powered vehicles: from classic (Formula 1) cars and normal passenger vehicles to cross motorcycles and high performance racing cars. Competition102 fuel is exclusively produced, stored and distributed by Salland Olie Maatschappij B.V. in the Netherlands. It’s available at over 60 petrol stations nationwide and is sold in 60-litre barrels.
Pirelli, official tyre supplier
Pirelli is a tyre manufacturer and world leader in the automotive industry. It has an exclusive relationship with over 50 racing series worldwide, including Formula One. Pirelli has a long and illustrious history in endurance racing, and has also claimed a huge variety of class wins in GT racing all over the world. The design of the new Pirelli GT tyres meets the needs of GT racing while maintaining the performance characteristics that endurance drivers have appreciated in the past. The slick tyres used for GT racing are branded Zero: just like the slicks that have become a central feature of Formula One. The name P Zero is used in the highest categories of motorsport such as GT racing.
SRO Motorsports Group, architect of modern GT Racing
SRO Motorsports Group was founded by Stephane Ratel and has specialised in the promotion, support and organisation of many national and international motorsport series since 1995. In 2016, SRO Motorsports Group will promote several championships and series, such as the Blancpain GT Series, including the iconic Total 24 hours of Spa, the British GT Championship, the Blancpain Sports Club with the GT Sports Club and the Ultracar Sports Club, the Competition102 GT4 European Series and the Intercontinental GT Challenge. SRO Motorsports Group runs also the SRO Race Centre by MMC, a high-level technical centre at the Paul Ricard Circuit in the south of France.
SRO has offices in London, Paris and Liège.
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