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22.05.2008
ProSpeed Competition triumph in FIA GT2 at Monza The second meeting of the FIA GT championship as also the FIA GT3 championship was held this weekend on the Italian circuit of Monza, in vicinity of Milan. In every possibly way ProSpeed Competition experienced a brilliant weekend, what with a great victory for Richard Westbrook and Emmanuel Collard in the FIA GT2 and strong races by Rudi Penders and Franz Lamot in the FIA GT3. Unfortunately the duo comprised of David Loix and Stéphane Lémeret, second in the GT3 championship after Silverstone, were twice forced to retire. Mikael Forsten and Markus Palttala, after a difficult race in FIA GT2, finally finished in eleventh place in GT2. Qualifying in the FIA GT was within a hair’s breadth of causing a major surprise. The GT2s, with amongst others both ProSpeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 RSRs, drove on a somewhat dryer track than the faster GT1s and up until a few seconds before the end of the session it looked as though Emmanuel Collard would be clinching overall pole position. "We had agreed that Richard (Westbrook) would take the start of the race and just for a second he feared having to take the start ahead of that gaggle of Corvettes, Astons and Maseratis", a laughing Emmanuel Collard remarked during the press conference. "We finally finished fourth overall and fastest GT2, and that’s what counts". Mikael Forsten, in the second car, finished in an excellent 11th place in GT2. On Sunday Emmanuel Collard and Richard Westbrook drove a perfect race crossing the line with a ten seconds bonus on their nearest Italian rivals. During the entire race the difference between the strongest GT2-teams was barely measurable. Richard Westbrook: "This victory is a great relief after Silverstone. We knew that we were fast and that we had the potential to finish up front. The result wasn’t to be, but we knew better. And now to finish in first place here in Monza represents something really fabulous for us, the entire team and Porsche." Emmanuel Collard backed up his team mate. "Both the car and the team were super, and we had to add the finishing touches. This victory is important and now we need to score top marks in the two races before the 24 Hours of Spa (Adria and Oschersleben), because quite a lot will be determined in Spa." The GT3-drivers were also at Monza for their second meeting. In his session David Loix at the wheel of the ProSpeed Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S set second best time. His new team mate Stéphane Lémeret also performed well during his debut in the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S clocking up a ninth time. Franz Lamot and Rudi Penders respectively set a 30th and 24th time. During the first race Franz Lamot made a name for himself, because in a minimum of time he brought the Porsche 997 up into twelfth place. "Franz drove an absolutely great first half of the race", Rudi Penders emphasized his team mate’s performance. "Unfortunately there was a minor communication fault during the change-over and the outcome was that we finally only ended as 20th." For his part David Loix had a great start, but after having come into contact with another competitor the number two in the championship went off heavily in the Ascari chicane. The car was severely damaged and Lémeret and Loix missed out on the badly needed points. ProSpeed Competition pulled off a difficult stunt to get the car ready for the second race. Unfortunately there was no time left to test out the car and two laps down Stéphane Lémeret was obliged to park the car at the side of the track. As for Rudi Penders he drove an excellent opening stint and an unleashed Franz Lamot did the rest, finally finishing in a neat tenth place.
- JF Van Laere-
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Thursday, 22.05.2008 - 12:09 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
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