SRT – FIA GT 2009 - SRT grabs a perfect fourth place in FIA GT Oschersleben GT,F1, formule 1,okruhy

SRT – FIA GT 2009 - SRT grabs a perfect fourth place in FIA GT Oschersleben

Miroslav Sanytrák | 22.6.09 | Aktuálně

OSCHERSLEBEN. In the third FIA GT-race of the season SRT grabbed a perfect fourth place. “The car was really good and the drivers truly pulled out all the stops”, Patrick Selleslagh told us after the race. “We lacked some experience with the tyres in the rain, it was the first time for us this season, and otherwise we would definitely have been on the podium. But I’m very pleased with the progress made by both the drivers and the team and we’re competitive once again, and that was the major objective for this weekend. James Ruffier and Bert Longin are now lying fourth in the championship and this is an ideal point of entry for the 24 Hours of Spa in just over one month’s time.”

Following the successful test session at Magny-Cours expectation were running reasonably high in the SRT camp for Oschersleben. And right from the free practice session on Friday it was apparent that progress had been made. Bert Longin: “Last week’s test session at Magny-Cours has in fact reaped its rewards. We’re now lapping in roughly the same times as both of the other Corvette C6.R and that is promising. We now need to further fine tune the car and carry on with our work tomorrow midday. There is in fact a further free practice session prior to the qualifying session tomorrow evening, around five. “

Longin and Ruffier confirmed during qualifying and finally ended in sixth place. Patrick Selleslagh: “We had hoped for something a little better, but at least we know what we still need to adapt in order to be up front tomorrow in the race. Bert will take the start and he is highly motivated...”

Bert Longin did indeed take a cannonball start and after one lap came through in second place, behind the similar car of PK Carsport. “I was able to hold to my rhythm during the entire stint. In the beginning I had to let Mike go somewhat, but our tyres were highly constant and as it started to rain, at the half-way mark, I was only just under two seconds down. Now we’re finally going places, and that’s how I want to race”, the combative driver from Leuven remarked.

James Ruffier took over the Corvette C6.R and was back in the fray until he committed a small error. “After that our Frenchman lost some of his confidence and dropped a few places, but in reality pretty difficult weather conditions”, Patrick Selleslagh continued. “Bert then finished off the race and still managed to grab a fourth place. In all honesty I must admit that we weren’t at our best in wet conditions. We were lacking somewhat in experience and this might also have played a part. But notwithstanding all that I’m extremely happy with the progress made and I’m looking forward to the 24 Hours of Spa, where we’re going flat out for the podium.”

The fourth race of the FIA GT Championship, namely the 24 Hours of Spa, is being held on 25th and 26th July on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, and is the highpoint of the GT season and undoubtedly the biggest GT race in the world.

FFSA GT 2009 – Calendar
12 April: Nogaro
10 May: Dijon
30 May: Magny Cours
5 July: Val de Vienne
6 September: Albi
4 October: HTTT Paul Ricard
18 October: Lédenon

FIA GT 2009 - Calendar
3 May: Silverstone (GB)
16 May Adria (Ita)
21 June: Oschersleben (D)
25-26 July: 24 Hours of Spa (Bel)
9 August: Bucharest (Rum)
20 September: Algarve (Por)
4 October: HTTT Paul Ricard (Fr)
25 October: Zolder (Bel)