ProSpeed Competition takes a second victory in FIA GT2!

The eighth round of the FIA GT Championship and the fifth meeting of the FIA GT3 both took place this weekend in the South of France, Nogaro. Alex Davison (replacing Manu Collard) and Richard Westbrook did a wonderful job in Nogaro and delivered a second victory in GT2 to ProSpeed Competition.

As a result the team remains in contention for second place in both the drivers and team championships. In FIA GT3 Stéphane Lémeret and David Loix won the Porsche Cup in the first GT3 race and finished seventh overall.

Right before qualifying Richard Westbrook was still somewhat pessimistic, but again the Belgian ProSpeed Competition team managed to get the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in very good shape. Westbrook did two fast laps in qualifying and remained on top of the rankings for the rest of the session. ProSpeed Competition took its second FIA GT pole position in the eighth round of the FIA GT season, after ‘Manu’ Collard did the same in Monza.

Richard Westbrook: "I’m surprised myself, because this morning in pre-qualifying we struggled to find the right balance and set-up. Nogaro is a very demanding track and it’s difficult to get a well-balanced car. But everything went right this time and I’m very happy to be on pole for the first time. It’s an enormous relief for the team after the bitter disappointment at Brno, where a race incident ended our race." Palttala drove his car to tenth in GT2.

The race itself was very intense. Westbrook and Davison battled for first position from start until the finish and finally took the spoils. "The track here is very aggressive and our tyres suffered a lot", explained Westbrook after the race. "But a fine strategy, good pitstop and a strong race pace resulted in a second victory for the team."

The end of the race was very open and the Porsche crew took victory in the last lap. "It makes it even more beautiful", tells Australian Davison. "The team did a wonderful job, especially in both pitstops and they contributed a lot to this victory."

Palttala and Forsten retired after tyre pick-up damaged the radiator of the car.

On Saturday, Stéphane Lémeret and David Loix took a fine win in the Porsche Cup in the FIA GT3 race. Overall, the Belgian pair finished seventh and so scored two Championship points in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S.

"This race was a relief", explained the racing journalist Léméret after the first heat. "We had a difficult season so far and we finally managed to score a fine result. Especially as we were first of the Porsche teams, with still very fast drivers in the other cars. Yes, I’m happy." Rudi Penders and Franz Lamot finished 20th overall.

In the second race the ProSpeed-duo’s Loix – Lémeret and Penders – Lamot came home in 13th and 16th overall.

The next round of the FIA GT takes place in Zolder .

1. Richard Westbrook ProSpeed Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RS

2. Christian Montanari AF Corse Ferrari F430

3. Tim Mullen CRS Ferrari F430

1. Westbrook / Davison ProSpeed Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RS

2. Mullen / Piccini CRS Ferrari F430

3. Bruni / Vilander AF Corse Ferrari 430

- JF Van Laere - photos Prospeed