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15.05.2008
ProSpeed Competition have high expectations in Monza FIA GT & FIA GT3 - Round 2 Monza
This coming weekend the second meeting of the FIA GT and FIA GT3 championships are being held at Monza, within close proximity of Milan. ProSpeed Competition is travelling on down to Italy full of high expectations. "In FIA GT3 we have the debut of Stéphane Lémeret teamed up with David Loix, and will be looking to defend their excellent ranking in the championship, and in FIA GT2, following on from Silverstone we have to put a few matters right", Rudi Penders clearly stipulates for this coming weekend. Following on from Silverstone the FIA GT and FIA GT3 teams are in fact travelling to the northern part of Italy, where the fast Monza circuit awaits them. This circuit situated in the renowned park is undoubtedly the fastest track these championships will come across. The latest and most important news emanating from ProSpeed Competition for this weekend is the debut of the experienced Belgian driver, Stéphane Lémeret. Stéphane Lémeret: "I’m really pleased to finally have an opportunity to drive for ProSpeed Competition. I’ve known Rudi Penders for a few years now and the team is one of the few top teams in our country, hence the reason that we came to a speedy agreement for the remainder of this season. I’m going to do my utmost, together with David Loix to finish as high as ever possible, notwithstanding the fact that should we ever finish right at the top of the championship, David will also be one step ahead of me... Not having competed in the initial races with him." The racing journalist only sees one drawback to his trip down to Monza. "Up until now over three meetings I have competed in five races in all, and only managed a mere two race laps. In my case I truly hope that the Monza track curse has finally disappeared... and that we can finish the race up front." In FIA GT3 Rudi Penders and Franz Lamot are looking for a place in the top-10, on the same circuit where they made their debut last year with the Porsche 997 GT3 RSR in the GT2 class. "Indeed", Penders confirms. "Even though I’m fully aware that our Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S can’t match up with the ‘heavy’ 8 and 10-cylinder cars when it comes down to top speed. On top of that the weather charts predict some dark clouds, even rain, not an ideal situation with the uniform tyres as stipulated in FIA GT3." Following on from the difficulties experienced in Silverstone during the opening weekend in FIA GT2, the team are desperately looking to set matters straight "Even though we need to refine this somewhat", Penders continues. "We were in fact one of the fastest with the Porsche 997 GT3 RSR during qualifying; however during the race, and with the ever variable weather conditions it wasn’t that easy for us. Seeing the results put up by Porsche in ALMS and the Le Mans Series I’m fully convinced that we can give the Ferrari 430 a good run for their money on home ground. The difference over the entire race last weekend during the 1000 Km of Spa between Ferrari and Porsche was a mere four tenths of a second. You can’t get much closer than that. " Markus Palttala knows the Monza circuit like the back of his hand, having competed several times in the 1000 Km, at the wheel of a Porsche in GT2 amongst others. He therefore has full trust in him. "Definitely, seeing the Porsche has recently evolved somewhat here and there, and I’m really looking forward to our confrontation with the Italian GT2s!"
Timing Monza Saturday, 17th May 09.00 – 10.20 FIA GT Championship Free Practice 80’ 10.35 – 11.25 FIA GT3 European Championship Qualifying Practice 20/10/20 11.40 – 12.10 British F3 International Series Qualifying Practice 2 30’ 12.25 – 13.45 FIA GT Championship Pre Qualifying Session 80’ 14.00 – 14.30 Superstars Qualifying Practice 30’ 15.00 – 16.00 FIA GT3 European Championship Race 1 60’ 16.25 – 16.55 British F3 International Series Race 1 30’ 17.15 – 17.50 FIA GT Championship Qualifying Practice 15/5/15 18.15 – 18.40 GT4 European Cup Race 1 25’
Sunday, 18th May 09.00 – 09.30 FIA GT Championship Warm Up 30’ 10.00 - 10.25 GT4 European Cup Race 2 25’ 11.15– 12.15 FIA GT3 European Championship Race 2 60’ 13.15 – 15.15 FIA GT Championship Race 2h 15.45 – 16.15 British F3 International Series Race 2 30’ 16.45 - 17.10 Superstars Race 22’ + 1 lap 17.35 – 18.25 GT4 European Cup Race 3 50’
- JF Van Laere - also photo
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Thursday, 15.05.2008 - 12:09 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
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