24h Le Mans
With a few hours to go before the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the support fixtures have reached the chequered flag. The Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil and the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli took the track for their respective Race 2. As usual, both were action-packed.
At 09:15 this morning, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli field set off for a crazy 35-minute chase around the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans. Dylan Medler (#15 The Collection) took advantage of his pole position to hold on to the lead, leaving a scuffle in the Dunlop Chicane behind him. He was eager for revenge this morning, having missed out on a final squirmish with Hendrik Viol (#92 Scuderia Prana Racing) due to a mechanical issue in the last lap of Race 1.
He managed to hold off Sergio Paulet (#1 Ineco - Reparto Corse RAM), who had been breathing down his neck from the start, but the threat became more menacing by the minute. Championship leader Paulet made a move to get by at Mulsanne Corner, but changed his mind, thinking there would be other opportunities. Even in such a short race, he thought he would have time to build up an attack. His effort were cut short by a safety car intervention. Just behind them, Andrew Morrow (#4 Charles Hurst) and Enzo Ide (#22 Formula Racing) made contact while jostling for position. Approaching the Daytona Chicane, Hurst touched the brake pedal and shifted slightly over. Ide, on his left, couldn’t avoid him. The fates of the two 296s are entwined. Hurst hit the tyre wall while Ide hurtled into the gravel.
A 15-minute slow period can be fatal to concentration. Not for Dylan Medler. As soon as the track was clear, he dictated the pace and built up a comfortable lead. Howe, the race was stopped four minutes early due to another incident before the Porsche Curves, competitors having completed only five real laps. Dylan Medler in the lead from flag to flag. Michael Verhagen was first in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli AM, following a DNF on Thursday. In Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell, Yahn Bernier in the #399 (Ferrari of Seattle - MG1 Motorsport), Thursday’s winner, conceded first place to Mitchell Green (#367 Ferrari Westlake). The Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell AM, saw another triumph for Jean Ryu in the #108, Kessel Racing.
After Thursday’s memorable battle, the Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil competitors were back for another intense 45 minutes. Jeff Giassi (#97 – Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup) took the upper hand in Race 1, having crossed swords with the valiant Marçal Müller (#544). A lottery system completely redistributed the grid positions. Antonella Bassani (#72) started in pole position, followed by Pipo Massa (#19), son of Felipe, Formula One vice world champion in 2008. Giassi started in P6, Müller in P5.
The real start took place at Tertre, a slow zone for repairs preventing any acceleration in the descent before the Forest Esses. Bassani held on to his advantage, while Giassi slipped down. At Mulsanne Corner, five-time class winner Miguel Paludo (#7 Porsche) took the lead. Then Pietro Fantin (#117), who was third in Race 1, drew up to his shoulder.
Fantin stayed on Paludo’s heels for several laps, unable to get past. After several fruitless attempts, he eventually managed to overtake before the Michelin Chicane. Bassani was still behind. A little further back, a battle was raging between Marcos Regadas (#17), Marçal Müller and Pipo Massa for fourth place.
Devant, Paludo et Fantin sont déchaînés. Ils se passent, se repassent, mais toujours avec beaucoup de respect. Les freinages sont propres, les tentatives maîtrisées. While they were occupied, Bassani crept up on them. A slow zone between Karting and Tertre Rouge calmed everyone down. Pietro Fantin took advantage of the return to normal to surge ahead with 15 minutes on the clock. Paludo was caught out in the same place and conceded second place to Bassani.
In the end, Pietro Fantin was victorious with a comfortable lead over Antonella Bassani and Miguel Paludo. An excellent result for the winner, the only driver on the podium in both races.
Top 3 of Race 2:
1. Pietro Fantin (#117)
2. Antonella Bassani (#72) + 1.723
3. Miguel Paludo (#7) + 2.524
