When the ProSpeed enormous potential is not converted into points 15.04.2013: BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES – MONZA : A car might well be fantastic, a team might well be perfectly

BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES – MONZA :



A car might well be fantastic, a team might well be perfectly run-in and have the ideal strategy, but if one is up against certain race facts, then that enormous potential cannot be converted into a positive result.


This in fact is what ProSpeed Competition experienced during the first round of the Blancpain Endurance Series in a sunny Monza. Marc Hennerici at the wheel of the #75 Porsche 911 GT3-R was the victim of a competitor’s unfortunate manoeuvre, whilst lying in third spot.


Earlier in the day his teammate Maxime Soulet had proven the potential of the Porsche in setting the second best time during qualifying. Unfortunately the American crew with Charlie Putman, Joe Foster and Charles Espenlaub experienced a damaged tyre resulting in an early retirement from the race where up until then they had shown some keen progression.


The Belgian ProSpeed Competition is leaving Monza with the full knowledge that they are a strong entity, but where race facts cannot always be governed.


Rudi Penders (ProSpeed Competition Team Principal)

“I always try to gain a few lessons from each race and the one I will remember here is that we showed our full strength and potential, but were unable to reap the well deserved fruits. All in all I see the Porsche 911 in “2013 version” to have an incredible potential, and this linked to both strong drivers and team.


The incident that happened here means that as a team we will need to continue pushing hard for the rest of the season, if we want to claim a top place. But I am fully convinced that we can achieve this.”



Marc Hennerici (GER - Driver - Porsche 911 GT3-R #75 ProCup)

“If you are able to run on one set of tyres for 40 laps during the free practice session at high speed and then follow that up with clinching a second spot on the grid in a 60 strong identical field of GT3 cars, one looks pretty hopeful. The team had prepared a great car for us and I took off with the aim of handing over the wheel to Xavier Maassen whilst lying up front. Unfortunately fate was against us.


When braking in the first chicane one of the competitors missed his braking point, forcing me to move to the outside of the track and I damaged the car on one of the very high curb-stones. The car was damaged and for us the race was over. It goes without saying that we are all very disappointed.”



Charlie Putman (USA - Driver - Porsche 911 GT3-R #48 ProAm Cup)

“Our introduction to European racing immediately showed us the intense level of competition here in Europe. I’m taking about the competition, but at the same time about the team and the overall framework surrounding ProSpeed Competition and Porsche.


Notwithstanding my retirement from the race I am very pleased, as also with the progress we made. Our aim this year is to learn and that progression has already set in here. A word of thanks to our teammates in the #75 Porsche who without hesitation supported us in our quest.”




Event Blancpain Endurance Series - Monza (Italy)
Date April 13th & 14th 2013
Championship Blancpain Endurance Series – Round 1 out of 5


Car #75 Porsche 911 GT3-R “Spec. 2013”
Crew Marc Hennerici – Xavier Maassen – Maxime Soulet (GER/NDL/BEL)
Partners Alcra Flash – MoWeKo – UBS - CMF – Carbon Club – Spike Communications – Lacs Eau d’Heure


Car #48 Porsche 911 GT3-R “Spec. 2013”
Crew Charlie Putman – Charles Espenlaub – Joe Foster (USA/USA/USA)
Partners Paul Reed Smith Guitars – OMP – Miller Motorsport School - Battery Tender - Alchemy


Team partners Porsche Genuine Parts – Penders Porsche Centre Liège – Mobil1 – Air Liquide - Grafityp



Results Blancpain Endurance Series - Monza

1. Ramos – Rigon – Zampieri (Pro) Ferrari F458 Italia 94 laps

2. Leclerc – Parisy – Soucet (Pro) McLaren MP4-12C + 0.18

3. Caroll – Verdonck – Bell (Pro) McLaren MP4-12C + 0.32

4. Stippler – Sandstrom – Mies (Pro) Audi R8 LMS Ultra + 0.32

5. Hommerson – Machiels – Bertolini (ProAm) Ferrari F458 Italia + 0.35
…

DNF Hennerici – Maassen – Soulet (Pro) Porsche 911 GT3-R Accident (L10)

DNF Putman – Foster – Espenlaub (ProAm) Porsche 911 GT3-R Puncture (L53)


Calendar

Eound 1 April 14th Monza (Italy)
Round 2 June 2nd Silverstone (Great-Britain)
Round 3 June 30th Paul Ricard HTTT (France)
Round 4 July 28th & 29th Spa 24H (Belgium)
Round 5 September 22nd Nürburgring (Germany)


- Pascal Rouard, photos