Navarra Free Practice review 21.05.2011: BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES - NAVARRA Spain 2011 The nr24 Pro-Am Cup Class Blancpain-Reiter Lamborghini LP560 of Marc Hayek and Peter Kox set the pace in the first session of the Blancpain Endurance Series weekend at Navarra in Spain.

BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES  - NAVARRA  Spain  2011



The nr24 Pro-Am Cup Class Blancpain-Reiter Lamborghini LP560 of Marc Hayek and Peter Kox set the pace in the first session of the Blancpain Endurance Series weekend at Navarra in Spain. 


Kox set the fastest lap of the 90-minute session, which was interrupted by two red flags to recover cars from dangerous parts of the circuit, the Dutch driver setting a lap of 1:39.584, 0.016s quicker than the fellow Pro-Am Cup Class car, the nr50 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia of Matt Griffin and Jack Gerber. 


The fastest Pro Class car was the nr1 Vita4One Ferrari 458 of reigning GT1 World Champion Michael Bartels, who is racing with Frank Kechele and Nico Verdonck.  Verdonck set the fastest time of 1:39.712, 0.124 ahead of his nearest rival, the nr32 Belgian Audi Club Audi R8 LMS of Bert Longin, Filip Alberquerqe and Stephane Ortelli.

 
The fastest car in the GT3 Gentlemen Trophy class was the nr22 Sport Garage Ferrari 430 Scuderia of Philip Shearer, Amandine Foulard and Lionel Comole with a time of 1:43.295 in 22nd overall. 


The fastest GT4 Cup competitor was the nr61 Lotus Driving Academy Lotus Evora of Lorenz Frey, Rolf Maritz and Fredy Barth with a time of 1:47.363, two places and 1.2 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals, the nr70 Lotus Italia Evora of Edoardo Piscopo, Greg Mansell and Leo Mansell.
 



Blancpain, a tradition of innovation for over 275 years


In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain began his watchmaking activity and installed his first workshop on the upper floor of his family home in Villeret, a village in the Swiss Jura mountains. By inscribing his name in the official communal property register, this pioneer created an establishment that is now the world’s oldest watch brand.

Throughout its history, Blancpain has succeeded in maintaining solid continuity in its capacity for innovation and its respect for traditional horological values. Whether by perfecting complications, designs and production methods, or by exploring new horizons, the Manufacture has been devoted for more than 275 years to taking the art of watchmaking to places it has never yet ventured.


From the first models created in the 18th century to the prestigious timepieces currently emerging from its workshops, Blancpain has forged an authentic tradition of innovation. The key to its success lies in the mastery of all fields involved in making an exceptional mechanical timepiece – from the creation of the movement and its components through to the functional design of the watch, along with the choice of materials and the extremely refined and entirely hand-crafted finishing.

Without ever straying from its precious heritage, the brand steadfastly pursues its quest for performance, precision and elegance by offering a range of exceptional timepieces equipped with the most sophisticated horological complications.


The nature of its collections – including the pure lines of the Villeret, the efficient complexity of Le Brassus, and the avant-garde design of L-evolution – is firmly rooted in watchmaking traditions while constantly pushing them towards new limits. In the same way, the ladies’ collection celebrates beauty and refinement, while the Sport collection is composed of instrument watches that are ready to face any situation on land, under water or in the air.

While remaining unswervingly loyal to its values, Blancpain regularly associates with partners that share its passion for excellence. Whether in the field of motorsports, sailing, scuba diving, or that of gastronomy and the art of living, the Manufacture is proud of its partnerships that represent far more than mere co-branding. On the contrary, Blancpain commits itself fully to such forms of cooperation by joining forces with its partners in a determination to excel and to foster both creativity and authenticity.

 

- Jeff Carter, photo SRO -