Faust Salom scores impressive win in 2016 opener in Barcelona
The driver of the Balearic Islands and his teammate Jaume Font cruised to win with his Baporo Motorsport SEAT León Cup Racer in the Spanish Endurance Championship. In spite it was his debut in a TCR-specs car for the pilot sponsored by Triatges Menorca, Motorisa Renault Trucks Mallorca, Potencia Alquiler de Maquinaria and Pinturas R-M was quick to find his footing
The Mahon-born driver won the Spanish Endurance Championship season´s opener in dominant style. Faust Salom claimed Trofeo Galfer and Junior titles last year, finishing second in D5 drivers´ standings. Salom made his debut in TCR class at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and, despite entry list blended quality and quantity, Faust and his teammate Jaume Font shone at the wheel of the Baporo Motorsport SEAT León Cup Racer. They both finished second and third in both free practice sessions, focusing on set-up work. Salom and Font had a brilliant performance in qualifying sessions held on Sunday morning. In Q1, Font posted a lap time of 1:54.435, one second clear of his nearest rival. Salom still improved his teammate´s best lap by clocking a 1:53.861, which was a new all-time record lap with a SEAT León Cup Racer, more than a second quicker than Marc Carol´s pole time in 2015. Their fantastic pace in qualifying was rather similar later in the race, with both drivers capitalizing their previous result in the morning. The Baporo Motorsport duo dominated the race with Salom and Font keeping at bay the rest of the field. Unmatchable speed, perfect lapped cars management and pit strategy, as Baporo Motorsport mastered “safety car” period, rewarded with a well-deserved win after 58 laps. Salom and Font took the checkered flag first in class with 25 seconds ahead of Vinyes brothers and tenth overall, just behind GT cars. Faust Salom´s quotes:
“It was a perfect weekend and everybody at Baporo Motorsport made a nice work. We dominated over the course of the weekend. We set record-breaking times in qualifying, with Jaume Font posting a 1:54.435 and I improving to set a lap time of 1:53.861- We secured first place in TCR class and right behind GT cars.”
“Race start wasn´t without risks because, considering the 50-car field, it was important to avoid problems because we saw no need to take risks. We pulled away and keep our rivals at bay even during pit stops. By the halfway point, the safety car was deployed but Baporo Motorsport pit strategy helped us. In fact, we strengthened our lead.” “I ´m delighted with our weekend! It was a nice season start winning in TCR class, the SEAT León Trophy and Junior class. I would like to thank Triatges Menorca, Motorisa, Potencia and RM their support. Our project partnering with Baporo Motorsport had a fantastic start, proving how competitive we are. Anyway, it will be a long season and there´s nothing here to be taken for granted. Anyway, we head to France with a morale boost despite our handicap will be something important to cope with”
Round two will take place on French soil, as the Spanish Endurance Championship will visit the country for the very first time on 7-8 May.