Zolder, Belgium, 10th April 2011
Victory was claimed by the No. 38 All-Inkl Lamborghini
Murcielago of Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock, but as the
pair romped to a second consecutive win in Zolder the race
provided action and drama from start to finish.
Both Sumo Power Nissan GT-Rs were ruled out on the rolling
start after a heavy collision which also involved the No.47 DKR
Corvette.
Battles raged throughout the field and, after a Safety Car following
a collision between the No.22 JRM Nissan and the No.9 Belgian
Racing Ford GT, Hexis AMR once again came to the fore in the
pit lane as the No.4 DB9 rocketed up the order.
There was still time for late drama, as the No.5 Swiss Racing
Lamborghini out-dragged the No.11 Exim Bank Team China
Corvette on the run to the chequered flag - snatching fourth by
just two hundredths of a second.
Michael Tange www.MTange.nl
Markus Winkelhock, All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport
Lamborghini No.38
“It was easy actually. First of all the pit stop was good, the car
was just great and the balance was in the car after the first few
laps. It couldn’t have been much better than yesterday, but even
at the end I was able to attack and get good lap times. I’m so
happy, I think we definitely took the maximum out of the
weekend. For sure it won’t be easy next weekend with so much
ballast, and I have never driven at Portimao, but hopefully we can
be strong again.”
Christian Hohenadel, Hexis Aston Martin Racing No. 4
“It was not a bad race, although it was a difficult start because
there was a mess in the first corner and then I made a mistake on
the third or fourth lap when I put in the speed limiter on the pit
straight and lost two or three places. Luckily there was a safety
car which brought us back into the pack, and we know the team
do a perfect job in the pits and they brought us out nearly in the
lead. Credit to my team-mate of course, but I think the team did
the best job today!”
Andrea Piccini, Hexis Aston Martin Racing No. 4
“The pit stop was the key of the race for us, because the guys
again did an excellent job. At the moment it looks like we have an
advantage here, but its because all the team train many times a
week to be so good and they are always thinking about strategy –
they are really, really good like that. When I got out I tried to keep
in touch with the Lamborghini but it was not possible – I think
they showed they’re the quickest car at the moment, but we’re in
contention in the Drivers’ Standings and the team is leading,
which is important.”
Tomas Enge, Young Driver Aston Martin Racing No. 7
“The race was not easy, it reminded me of Portimao last year
when I was P2 after the pit stop and slid down to P10. Luckily it
did not happen this time, as I was trying to save the tyres much
more and it paid dividends at the end. We had a pretty good pit
stop and I was able to overtake the Corvette on my out lap. Third
is a great result for the whole team, we scored points and we go
to the next race without too much weight ballast so we will try
and keep going like this.”
Alex Muller, Young Driver Aston Martin Racing No. 7
“The start was okay, it was quite tight at the first turn but we
managed to get through it. Apart from that it was a clean race,
when the Safety Car came out it blocked everybody up but in the
end I started third and finished third so we scored important
points. Now we look forward to Portimao and another podium
maybe!”
Ricardo Zonta, Sumo Power Nissan GT-R No.20
“It has been a bad weekend for us. We had a puncture in the
Qualifying Race yesterday which ruined our race. Today at the
start, the Corvette (No.47) hit me so hard in the main straight it
spun me round and I ran into the other (Sumo) Nissan. Another
race over. It's difficult to take."
Peter Dumbreck, JR Motorsports Nissan GT-R No.22
“It was a daft start. I managed to keep good control at the start. I
was very careful and conceded position to slower cars - better
safe than sorry. In my eyes I was fully alongside of him (the Marc
VDS Ford GT No.40) I saw him turn in and I tried to get out of it. I
get collected, he spun me around and we are out of the race.”
Mike Hezemans, Exim Bank Team China Corvette No.11
“It’s a pity that we lost one place in the pit stop because I think
we could have been as high as third today. We know that with the
Corvettes there is so much rear tyre wear in the last five or six
minutes so it is a struggle for us. The racing is very competitive
just the two All-Inkl cars seem to be a bit ahead at the moment
but I’m happy with the car, the team is coming together and it’s
going well so far.”
Milos Pavlovic, Belgian Racing Ford GT No.10
“I am really enjoying being involved in the championship, it’s great
to be part of a world championship. It was not such a good
weekend for us but we are a new team and we are learning all the
time. We are looking forward to the next race in Portugal.”
Peter Kox, Swiss Racing Team Lamborghini No.5
“This is a great result for the team. We have done four races now
and we don’t have a scratch on the car which makes a nice
change from last year. I am sure we can get better and challenge
for the podium or even a win soon. I was pushing Nicky Catsburg
(Corvette No.11) a bit at the end and waiting for the chance to
take him. I could see that he was struggling a little bit with
traction. So I saw my chance and made the pass. It was a good
clean fight and I enjoyed the race a lot.”
Fred Makowiecki, Marc VDS Ford GT No.41
“We are suffering due to lack of power. I feel that the balance of
performance is hurting us. Basically we have the same package
as last year but we can’t run at any good pace on the straights.
We just don’t have the straight line speed. It makes overtaking
very difficult for us. We go to the next race but we will still have
the same issues.”
Round 3 of the FIA GT1 World Championship will take place in
Portugal at Algarve on Sunday 8 May.
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