Hernandez and Ayari take SRT ’s Second Win in France

The French FFSA GT Championship encountered their fourth meeting this weekend. As usual two races were planned on the turns of Val de Vienne and SRT’s duty was to defend their second place in the Championship. Mission Completed! Hernandez and Ayari winning the 8th race of the season. Although the first race on Saturday didn’t befall as expected, with race incidents causing the Corvette C6.R to end up in 6th position*.

On Saturday morning Bruno Hernandez was able to put the SRT Corvette C6.R to a well- deserved second place on the start grid, right next to his brand brothers from DKR, the other Belgian team in France.

Bruno Hernandez: "I only executed two fast rounds, so I won’t wear off the tyres needlessly. This weekend would get pretty warm, which affects the condition of the tyres. But those two rounds were more than enough to ensure us of our position. The team did a great job, they found the perfect set-up."

The start was indeed opened under an iron sun and Bruno Hernandez seemed to have a good head start. After the launch 5 GT1, including the SRT Corvette, ended up outside the tracks. Hernandez was able to reconnect but with a large delay.

"There was no other option than to retake, to fight back and try to catch up with the leaders of the race as fast as possible", thus Hernandez.

Right before the mandatory driver change, the Corvette emerged in the top 5, and a bit later Soheil Ayari ensured a well deserved position in the top 3.

"A third place appeared to be feasible, till the safety car streamed in about a fifteen minutes before the end of the race", explains Patrick Selleslagh "Soheil was able to catch up with Bouchut and Dayraut. All three were potential winners, which resulted in an intense battle. Unfortunately Soheil and Christophe hit each other in the last lap. We finally came home sixth, which was a poor consolation. The team will have tons of work to get the car back into shape."

But the SRT-crew proved to be cut out of excellent racing wood, no later than Sunday morning Soheil Ayari managed to get the Corvette in Pole Position for the second race. "This is the only way I can show my gratitude for the delivered work". hence Ayari.

And the appreciation went further than the pole. Ayari and Hernandez delivered an almost perfect race and won the round in front of both DKR Corvette. "An all Belgian and Corvette podium, SRT at the top, what more can a man wish for", said Patrick Selleslagh smilingly after the race.

"We deliver good work, my team did the impossible last night to get the car back into shape, the drivers did the rest. I’m very happy; the difference with the leaders in the championship is getting smaller. I’m looking forward to the fifth meeting of the Championship in Spa Francorchamps."

SRT is now travelling towards Oschersleben for the fourth race of the FIA GT Championship, with Maassen and Bouchut leading the driver standings.

Results: http://www.ffsa.org/res_circuit.php?id=714  

* depending on Larbre’s appeal against Bouchut ’s and Bornhauser’s time fine. If rejected SRT will end up fifth.

- SRT also photos -