 |
Monza’s temple of speed hosts opening round of Blancpain Endurance Series 2014
09.04.2014: The long wait has come to an end. Next weekend, on the Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza the
|

The long wait has come to an end. Next weekend, on the Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza the contenders in the Blancpain Endurance Series 2014 will finally know how good they have prepared themselves for the new season.
Ever since its creation in 2011, the Blancpain Endurance Series has been the best supported and most competitive GT competition in the world. 40 impressive GT3 cars, entered by some of the most professional teams and driven by a plethora of top notch racers, will form the impressive grid on the asphalt of the fabled Italian circuit.
The high level of the entries in the Pro Cup, Pro-Am Cup and Gentlemen Trophy forms a guarantee for ultra-fast action and a thrilling opening round of the Blancpain GT Series. In Monza, drivers from a whopping 24 countries will compete at the wheel of GT3 cars representing no less than 11 prestigious brands.
Recognised and established big name drivers will be joined this year by a new generation of young and hungry chargers, who will be determined to stamp their mark on the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Five rounds will be organised this season, all taking place on world-class circuits in Europe. Monza this weekend is followed by Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, on May 23-25. Paul Ricard follows on June 27-28 with an entertaining evening race, before the most celebrated endurance test takes place at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit from 23-27 July.
The mythical Total 24 Hours of Spa promise to be one of the highlights of the racing summer. The season concludes with the second edition of the Blancpain Endurance Series’ version of the Nürburgring 1000 on September 19-21, where a memorable finale will take place.
Pro Cup – Impressive new entries take on the establishment
Maximilian Buhk, the holder of the drivers’ title in the Pro Cup of the Blancpain Endurance Series, will have no easy task in defending his title at the wheel of the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 of HTP Motorsport. Up against him are Series’ regulars Belgian Audi Club WRT, which enters two Audi R8 LMS ultra for – among others – former FIA GT Series’ champions Laurens Vanthoor and Marc Basseng.
Both established teams will be considered to be among the favourites, but will have to look out for two impressive newcomers: the Reiter Engineering SaReNi Camaro GT3 and the two M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3.
Both teams have former F1 drivers in their ranks – Tomas Enge on the Camaro and Jérôme D'Ambrosio on the Bentley – and with Peter Kox and Guy Smith some of the most respected endurance racers as well. The times set during the official Blancpain GT Series test days in Le Castellet indicate that both cars will be a force to be reckoned with.
ART Grand Prix will defend the colours of McLaren with two MP4-12C, while the Oman Racing Team has the sole Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the Pro Cup in its custody. Further Pro Cup challenges will come in the shape of Black Falcon with a Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 and Sainteloc Racing entering an Audi R8 LMS ultra, with reigning FIA GT Series champion Stéphane Ortelli as the lead driver.
Pro-Am Cup – Still the backbone of the Series
With 19 cars the Pro-Am Cup is again the backbone of the Blancpain Endurance Series. A host of new and exciting teams and drivers join the loyal and regular entries. 2013 champions, the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN, will enter two cars for an almost completely new line-up of young and talented drivers.
Japanese racer Katsumasa Chiyo will join 2013 GT Academy winners Miguel Faisca, Stanislav Aksenov, Nick McMillen and Florian Strauss. The ‘gamers-turned-racers’ are eager to follow the footsteps of their predecessors, who last year conquered the Blancpain Endurance Series Pro-Am team title in their rookie year.
TDS Racing enters two BMW Z4 GT3 and can count on the experience of Nicky Catsburg. During the last couple of seasons the Dutchman established himself as being one of the up and coming stars of GT racing. With 8 of the 11 Blancpain Endurance Series’ car brands present, the Pro-Am Cup is clearly a very diverse category.
MP Motorsport AMR (Aston Martin), Emil Frey Racing (Jaguar), Boutsen Ginion (McLaren) and Black Falcon (Mercedes) will all vigorously defend their colours. Porsche has two representatives, both French: Graff Racing and ProGT by Almeras. The latter can again count on the services of former single seater ace Franck Perera.
It will be no surprise that the spectators on the Monza grandstands will root mainly for the teams entering a Ferrari 458 Italia GT3. The drivers of last year’s Monza winners Kessel Racing, Insightracing with Flex-Box, Sport Garage, 2012 Pro-Am champions AF Corse, Scuderia Villorba Corse and GT Corse by Rinaldi will proudly wear the Prancing Horse on their overalls.
Gentlemen Trophy – Exciting prospects for 2014
In the Gentlemen Trophy the Ferrari 458 Italia seems to be the weapon of choice as well, with five of the eight entries representing the Maranello manufacturer. Among them is Sport Garage, with 2011 Gentlemen Trophy winner Georges Cabannes.
Reigning champion Jean-Luc Blanchemain has switched from a Ferrari 458 to an Audi R8 LMS ultra however, a car entered by the experienced Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and which the Frenchman is sharing with Belgian drivers Christophe Kelders and Yves Weerts.
Two other Audi-teams (Team Parker Racing from Great Britain and Sainteloc Racing from France) will take on the Ferrari armada in what promises to be a close fought battle between very well matched drivers and teams.
The Monza weekend is always a popular and busy weekend and this year sees a feast of action as the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, the Formula Renault 3.5 and the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC will also provide guaranteed action, with two races for each championship.
Free practice for the Blancpain Endurance Series takes place at 9.00 local time on Saturday followed by pre-qualifying at 12.10. Qualifying for the Blancpain Endurance Series cars takes place at 17.20 on Saturday, the race is scheduled to start on Sunday at 14.45. All action can be followed through the live timing and livestream on the official and revamped website, www.blancpain-gt-series.com.
Maximilian Buhk (HTP Motorsport): “Believe it or not, but this will be my first time racing in Monza. I saw last year’s race on the official website’s livestream and I was very impressed by the speed of the cars and the closely fought slipstreaming battles. In my eyes, being the reigning champion does not add any pressure. At the start of a new season every counter is set back to zero, and all cars, drivers and teams again have to prove their worth.”
Guy Smith (M-Sport Bentley, Pro Cup): “Every member of M-Sport Bentley is excited for the start of the season and the first race at Monza - this is what we've been working towards. We've developed the Bentley Continental GT3 really effectively over the last nine months, and even though we're the new boys we're confident we can put in a strong performance.
With such a large grid we're guaranteed to have some close racing, which is great for us as drivers, the fans and the series as a whole.”
Katsumasa Chiyo (Nissan GT Academy Team RJN, Pro-Am Cup): “I am really looking forward to racing in Europe. The Blancpain series looks very competitive, with very big grids and mythical tracks, which of course includes this weekend’s Monza circuit.
I am very proud to join Nissan GT Academy Team RJN, which won the Pro-Am championship last year. I will work really hard to win a race together with my team-mates as soon as possible, while getting used to European racing culture.”
Jean-Luc Blanchemain (Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, Gentlemen Trophy): “I find it an excellent idea to reserve the Gentlemen’s Trophy for three Bronze drivers. In theory this should produce some excellent racing. Especially at Monza, a mythical and historical place, with a superb track.
Handling the traffic will not be easy, but that goes for every circuit if you have almost fifty cars racing at the same time. Our ambitions for this race? We are not here to make up the numbers, that’s for sure. We really want to win our category.”
Adelheid Terryn - photo SRO
Permanent-URL:
|
The TDS Racing team doubles the lead in Blancpain Endurance Series…
09.04.2014
|
This year, the team will enter two BMW Z4 GT3 in Blancpain Endurance Series. They will be driven by two Pro Am line-ups (a gentleman driver associated with a professional driver):
BMW Z4 n°10: Henry Hassid and Nick Catsburg B more >> |
BMW works driver Alessandro Zanardi completes season’s preparations
08.04.2014
|
... in the BMW Z4 GT3 at Misano.With another test day at Misano (IT), BMW works driver Alessandro Zanardi (IT) and ROAL Motorsport completed their preparations for the season with the BMW Z4 GT3. After a break of four years, the 47-ye more >> |
Montermini/ Salaquarda and the Ferrari 458 in the 2014 Blancpain Sprint Series!
30.03.2014
|
Not only Endurance; Villorba Corse doubles the GT3 programme with the F1 driver from Modena and the young Czech behind the wheel of the only Ferrari in the championshipOnly a few hours after the Endurance Series programme's announceme more >> |
A “young” Villorba Corse in the 2014 Blancpain Endurance Series
28.03.2014
|
The Italian team to debut in the GT3 world with Castellacci, Gai and Rizzoli behind the wheel of their Ferrari 458Villorba Corse “racing with Ferrari” team will debut more >> |
Erfolgreicher Test für GT Corse by Rinaldi in Le Castellet
20.03.2014
|
Das Team GT Corse by Rinaldi absolviert erfolgreiche Testfahrten in Le Castellet: 1.700 Kilometer und das Rollout des neuen "Kermit"Mit wichtigen Erkenntnissen im Gepäck hat das Team G more >> |
BMW Sports Trophy teams attend Blancpain GT Series official tests
16.03.2014
|
A strong contingent of BMW Sports Trophy teams headed out onto the track in Le Castellet (FR), southern France, this week. The “Circuit Paul Ricard” was the venue for the official test days in the Blancpain G more >> |
BMW works driver Alessandro Zanardi completes official test days
12.03.2014
|
....for the Blancpain GT Series.Circuit Paul Ricard (FRA), 11th & 12th March 2014. BMW Motorsport. Alessandro Zanardi (IT), BMW Works Driver, BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL MotorsportWith two intensive days of testing, BM more >> |
The TDS Racing doubles the lead!
28.02.2014
|
After a year of discovery rewarded by very good results in Blancpain Endurance Series, the team thinks bigger and higher! Indeed, the TDS Racing will enter a second car in 2014 !The TDS Racing team more >> |
Successful test for Alessandro Zanardi with the BMW Z4 GT3 at Vallelunga.
27.02.2014
|
Alessandro Zanardi (IT), BMW Works Driver, BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL MotorsportAlessandro Zanardi continued his preparation for his comeback season with BMW. The 47-year-old Italian completed a comprehensive test with his BMW Z4 GT3, more >> |
HEXIS Group and SRO Motorsports Group continue their partnership for the 2014 Blancpain GT Series
20.02.2014
|
SRO Motorsports Group is pleased to announce that their long-term partnership with the HEXIS Group will continue in 2014. One of the divisions of the HEXIS Group is HEXIS Graphics, a specialist manufacturer of self-adhesive vinyl films for sign making, vehicle marking, protective la more >> |
Full House for the 2014 Blancpain GT Series
18.02.2014
|
After announcing the extension of the Blancpain partnership by bringing the sprint series under the Blancpain banner, SRO Motorsports Group presents a full package of racing during their 2014 race weekends. Some of the most exciting and p more >> |
The new Blancpain GT Series logos, continuity in evolution
13.02.2014
|
Built on the exceptional success of the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Blancpain GT Series has an exceptional pedigree, which is reflected in the new logos.Bringing the Sprint races under the Blancpain banner was a logical step forward in or more >> |
WRT with up to four Audi R8 LMS ultra cars in Blancpain GT series
09.02.2014
|
The Belgian Audi Club Team WRT is fielding up to four Audi R8 LMS ultra cars in the Blancpain GT racing series in the 2014 season. The Belgian outfit will regularly enter three of the GT3 race cars in the Blancpain Endura more >> |
Belgian AUDI Club Team WRT enters four Audi R8 LMS ultra in BES
07.02.2014
|
Belgian Audi Club Team WRT believes in strength in numbers and enters four Audi R8 LMS Ultra in the Blancpain GT SeriesBelgian Audi Club Team WRT, the title holders in the FIA GT Series, will enter no fewer more >> |
Two brand new Bentley Continental in the Blancpain Endurance Series
07.02.2014
|
Bentley will enter two Continental cars in this year’s Blancpain Endurance Series. Both cars will be entered in the Pro-category; the driver line-ups will be announced shortly.The Bentley Co more >> |
Stef Dusseldorp joins reigning champions HTP Motorsport
07.02.2014
|
After three seasons with Hexis Racing Dutchman Stef Dusseldorp joins HTP Motorsport for 2014. The 24-year-old already raced the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 during the Navarra meeting of the FIA GT Series last year more >> |
Sébastien Loeb opts for Audi R8 LMS ultra
02.02.2014
|
Audi Sport customer racing has gained a prominent new customer. In the third year of its career in GT sport, the race team of nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb relies on the Audi R8 LMS ultra for the first time. more >> |
Karim Ojjeh confirmed at Boutsen Ginion Team for BES
31.01.2014
|
Karim Ojjeh will drive another season of the Blancpain Endurance Series with the Boutsen Ginion Team. The Belgian squad will, as in 2013, enter a McLaren MP4-12C GT3.Olivier Lainé (team manage more >> |
Three Ferrari 458 Italia cars for AF Corse
31.01.2014
|
AF Corse, the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series Pro-Am champions and last year’s runners-up in the same category, will again be a force to reckon with during the 2014 season.The team run by more >> |
Alex Zanardi is back on the racetrack, interview
27.01.2014
|
Alex Zanardi with Roberto Ravaglia at Adria International Raceway (IT)He has been waiting for this moment for a long time: Alessandro Zanardi (IT) is back on the racetrack. The BMW works driver was at the “Adria Raceway” in V more >> |
Ticket sales for the Blancpain Sprint Series Nogaro meeting have started
24.01.2014
|
For the first time the Nogaro circuit launches a presale of their tickets. For the Coupes de Pâques meeting (19-21 April 2014), the opening round of the Blancpain Sprint Series, ticket prices are very advantageous if the tickets are or more >> |
Grasser Racing Team, from Austria, is determined to be among the frontrunners in the Blancpain Sprint Series
24.01.2014
|
Last year GRT excelled in the Pro-Am Cup, with Hari Proczyk finishing second in the FIA GT Series, only three points short of the title. Two Lamborghini Gallardo FL2 are entered for 2014, with Hari Proczyk and Sa more >> |
Team Parker Racing confirms their entry in the Blancpain Endurance Series
24.01.2014
|
Team Parker Racing confirmed their entry for a full season in the Blancpain Endurance Series with an Audi R8 LMS. Known for its commitment to Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Team Parker Racing pa more >> |
MP Motorsport AMR enters the Blancpain Endurance Series
24.01.2014
|
British team MP Motorsport AMR will enter an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for the complete 2014 Blancpain Endurance Series . The Aston Martin customer team car will be driven by their usual pairing of more >> |
Zanardi Alessandro to drive in the Blancpain Sprint Series
21.01.2014
|
Since ROAL Motorsport announced their entry in the Blancpain GT Series at the beginning of this year, numerous drivers have been rumoured to drive for Roberto Ravaglia’s outfit.Now, the announcement has been made. Former F1 driver and Olympic cham more >> |
Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week
13.01.2014
|
The penultimate round of the Blancpain GT Series at Zolder has been postponed by one week and will now take place on the weekend of 18/19 October 2014.The change has been made to allow the largest number of teams to take part in this im more >> |
Adelheid Terryn New PR manager for the Blancpain GT Series
09.01.2014
|
Adelheid Terryn joins SRO Motorsports Group as PR Manager for the Blancpain GT Series Adelheid Terryn joins SRO Motorsports Group as PR Manager for the Blancpain GT Series. She will be in c more >> |
Circuit Zolder accueillera la Blancpain GT Series les 11 et 12 octobre 2014
06.12.2013
|
La saison 2014 du Circuit Zolder se clôturera avec une belle cerise sur le gâteau. Programmé les 11 et 12 octobre, le meeting des Belgian Masters servira en effet de cadre à l’avant-dernière more >> |
Blancpain GT Series adds Circuit Zolder to 2014 calendar
06.12.2013
|
Belgian track added following removal of Navarra round SRO Motorsports Group has today announced that the 2014 Blancpain GT Series will add the popular Belgian race track, Circuit Zolder in October instead of Spain’s Circuito de more >> |
Further success for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in Baku season finale
02.12.2013
|
- AMG customer team claims Pro-Am and Gentlemen titles in the FIA GT SeriesThe ‘Baku World Challenge’, the invitation race on a street circuit in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, brought further success for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. more >> |
Enzo Ide ends off the season in Baku with a nasty feeling
25.11.2013
|
Enzo Ide at Baku World Challenge The final meting of the FIA GT Series was an extremely special one. For the final round of the European GT championship the drivers and teams headed off to the exotic Azerbaijan for the Baku World Challenge, a stree more >> |
Hexis Racing with no victory but a stunning feat in Baku
25.11.2013
|
Baku World Challenge raceFIA GT Series’ final round, 23-24 November 2013 All the right ingredients were combined to make Hexis Racing’s trip to Baku end on a high note, especially in view of the threat of the team being closed down. more >> |
Marc VDS Suffer in Baku
25.11.2013
|
The final race of the season for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS ended in disappointment at the Baku World Challenge, after a first lap melee damaged the #4 BMW Z4 GT3 and forced retirement for Nick Catsburg and Maxime Martin.After more delays, it was another f more >> |
Selected driver quotes after Baku races
24.11.2013
|
FIA GT Series 2013 BAKU ChallengeStéphane Ortelli, Belgian Audi Club Team WRT – Audi R8 LMS Ultra #12 (Pro Cup)“First of all I think that I could have not done it witho more >> |
Ortelli / Vanthoor take Baku World Challenge and title glory
24.11.2013
|
There were jubilant scenes of celebrations by the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT at the Baku World Challenge by Aztexnika this afternoon, as Stéphane Ortelli (MCO) and Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) took the 2013 FIA GT Series Pro Cup drivers title. more >> |
BAKU Main race classification
24.11.2013
|
FIA GT Series 2013 BAKU Challenge Final race 2013 1 11 AUDI-WRT (Audi) VANTHOOR 1:45.816 30 53.019   more >> |
Laurens Vanthoor is FIA GT Champion
24.11.2013
|
22-year old Belgian Laurens Vanthoor and his team mate Stéphane Ortelli have become FIA GT Series Champions in Baku. The WRT Audi drivers won the prestigious championship in style with a magnificent victory during the more >> |
Belgian Audi Club Team WRT take Pro Cup Team Crown in Baku
24.11.2013
|
- Simonsen seal Pro AM drivers title - Rast and Mayr-Melnhof take qualifying race victory in Baku Rene Rast (DEU) and Niki Mayr-Melnhof (AUT) took a well-judged victory in the qualifying race at the Baku World Challenge b more >> |
BAKU Qualifying race classification
24.11.2013
|
FIA GT Series BAKU CHALLENGE 2013 1 12 Team WRT (Audi) MAYR-MELNHOF 1:46.059 32 53.080 18.090  more >> |