Category: General

Report Race 2 Monza

Posted on October 3, 2021 by - General

Grande Finale in Monza. The fastest race series in Europe more than lived up to its name, under the most difficult conditions Ulf Ehninger was crowned the new champion of the BOSS GP Racing Series.

Already in the morning, the royal park of Monza presented itself grey in grey. Thomas Hummer, the man in charge of Pirelli for BOSS GP, was also looking at the sky: “It’s really difficult, if it stays like this I would take the slicks.” Shortly before the start, the rain became heavier. Most of the drivers opted for the rain tyres.

Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) did not let himself be ruffled, and in the manner of a Zen master, the Benetton driver brought his first OPEN title home. “I didn’t take any risks, changed gears early and stayed out of everything. I can’t believe it, I never expected something like this,” Ehninger could hardly believe his achievement. For Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) it was a mixed weekend. “I want to congratulate Ulf, he was always on point and deserved the title,” the old champion paid tribute to the new one.

The day’s win went to Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) again. This time, however, the FORMULA driver had to fight much harder than on the previous day: “I started on rain tyres, in the safety car period I changed to slicks. Thanks go to my mechanics.” With the fresh rubbers, the Italian was able to catch up with the long-time leader Paul O’Connell (IRL, HS Engineering), who himself took the lead with a remarkable manoeuvre in the first Lesmo bend, and overtook him shortly before the end. O’Connell was nevertheless very pleased. “I played poker, we often have conditions like this on the island, I risked the slicks, it paid off in the end,” the likeable Irishman revealed.

FORMULA podium race 2: f.l. Paul O’Connell (2nd), winner Marco Ghiotto and Thomas Jackermeier (3rd)

Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) also made it onto the podium for the first time. The rookie showed an excellent performance and was suddenly in the lead due to various tyre changes of the competitors. “On Friday I drove the Toro Rosso with which Sebastian Vettel won here for the first time, now I’m on the same podium, even in the rain. That’s really mega,” the Fanatec CEO was completely beside himself.

In the first half of the race, Michael Aberer (AUT, MA Motorsport) was one of the fastest. The rain specialist was able to make use of his experience on the slippery terrain and was soon to be found in the leading field. In the end, switching to dry tyres would probably have been the better choice, so only eighth place remained.

Series coordinator Willie Beck was also suitably satisfied after the GlobeAir Grande Finale: “We’ve seen a fantastic season without any accidents, as a BOSS GP family we’ve grown together even more this year, which gives us confidence for the new season.”

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP, Robert Lösch

Report Race 1 Monza

Posted on October 2, 2021 by - General

Championship decision postponed: Already the pre-start threw the qualifying into disarray. In the end, FORMULA Champion Marco Ghiotto won in the Monza Park and spoke of an “easy” victory.

With 22 degrees Celsius outside and 33°C asphalt temperature, the drivers found perfect racing conditions to get the Pirelli tyres into the ideal temperature window. Already on the grid the Toro Rosso of pole setter Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) caused problems. “It must have been a sensor problem in the gearbox, it would have been fine, but for safety reasons I preferred to park the car after the start,” a disappointed Gerstl stated. In the championship, the Austrian suffered a severe setback and is now seven points behind Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) with one race to go.

As Phil Stratford’s (USA, Penn Elcom Racing) Benetton remained in the pits due to gearbox problems in qualifying, it was Ehninger who took the win in the Open class. In the overall classification, however, the Benetton driver was beaten by Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) and Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International Motorsport). The two Dallara GP2 drivers flew around the course in pairs at the start before Ghiotto prevailed by just under three seconds.

“At the beginning I tried not to give Colombo any slipstream, the effect is particularly strong in Monza. Once I shook him off a bit, it was an easy win,” stated the confident champion. For Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International Motorsport) the home race ended abruptly. His GP2 rolled out at the beginning of the famous Ascari chicane while he was safely in third place.

Behind Ehninger, the battle for 4th place raged, with Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) and Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International Motorsport) duelling it out for the entire race. Mangini tried several times to takes over out of the slipstream, but braked in the first chicane on his most promising attempt, had to go wide and could not get closer than seven tenths to the German again.

The most exciting duel took place behind Paul O’Connell (IRL, HS Engineering) for 7th place. Michael Aberer (AUT, MA Motorsport), who drives his car in the legendary Gold Leaf colours, drove close behind Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed) the entire race before he struck in the Parabolica corner on the last lap. “I picked someone to fight with, to see where I actually stand. It was my first race in the dry, for that I am very, very satisfied, it was an awesome match,” Aberer summed up.

Tomorrow Sunday at 12:50 local time the GlobeAir Grande Finale of the 2021 BOSS GP season will take place in Monza.

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report Qualifying Monza

Posted on October 2, 2021 by - General

A turbulent qualifying session for the GlobeAir Grande Finale at the Royal Park of Monza ultimately brought a pole position for Ingo Gerstl and a tragic hero in Phil Stratford.

Right at the beginning of Q1 Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso brought out the hammer, set a 1:29.0 on his first flying lap and improved again by 1.6 (!) seconds on the second lap. All the others were beaten by this time. The closest was Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom Racing), who only managed to move up to second place with just one timed lap. Before he caused a red flag.

“Unfortunately, the gearbox got stuck in 6th gear, we had problems yesterday as well.  My mechanics worked all night, we only finished 5 minutes before qualifying, they are true heroes,” the US driver knew to thank his crew. At the moment, the crew is trying to get the Benetton from the 1997 season running again for the race. The second Benetton in the field, driven by Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing), made it to the second row of the grid in 4th place.

FORMULA driver Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International Motorsport) broke the phalanx of Formula 1 cars with the GP2 Dallara and achieved an excellent starting position for a possible first win of the season with grid position 3. Behind them it tightened up – Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) and Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International Motorsport) rushed around the track in pairs, gave each other slipstream and shared the third row of the grid in the end.

In the meantime, qualifying was interrupted again by a red flag. Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) had lost control of the GP2 when braking for the first chicane and brought the car to a halt on a sausage curb. However, race control quickly radioed the all-clear and, with the help of the marshals, the rookie was able to resume his drive. Michael Aberer (AUT, MA Motorsport) had a similar incident. Nevertheless, the Austrian still managed to finish 11th on the grid.

In between, Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio), Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing), Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International Motorsport) and Paul O’Connell (IRL, HS Engineering), four drivers in positions 7 to 10 on the grid, still have a chance of a podium in the FORMULA class.

The first race in the Temple of Speed will start today at 15:35 local time.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview Monza

Posted on October 1, 2021 by - General

Last tour stop for Europe’s fastest racing series in the 2021 season: The BOSS GP Racing Series storms through the park of Monza at over 300 kph.

Monza and BOSS GP seem to be the perfect match, as both form a wonderful symbiosis of tradition and modernity. While high-tech racing cars from the last 20 years can be watched at full volume and in real races at the BOSS GP Racing Series, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has been the venue for the Formula One Italian Grand Prix since 1950 (except in 1980). A large part of the original layout has been adapted to modern safety standards and is still used today, although the steep concrete curves can only be admired on foot.

The BOSS GP line-up last competed in Monza two years ago. Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom Racing) and Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) won that time. Meanwhile, Ingo is on the verge of obtaining his seventh BOSS GP championship title in the OPEN class. Realistically, only an early technical defect on his Toro Rosso STR1 or an accident can still prevent the Salzburg citizen from winning another title in Monza. Gerstl’s last remaining rival in the 2021 overall standings, Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing), is inferior in terms of performance and aerodynamics in his blue and white Benetton F1 from the 1997 season.

In contrast, the FORMULA class with its numerous Formula 2 and GP2 cars is much closer together. Recently, however, drivers with their Auto GP and World Series by Renault 3.5 cars have also been able to get involved on a regular basis, as Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) proved in Brno. Irishman Paul O’Connell will sit in Schlegelmilch’s car in Monza and the question on everyone’s lips is: Will he also be able to cause a surprise? After the cancelled races at the Nürburgring will not be held until 2022, Italian Marco Ghiotto (Scuderia Palladio) will be the FORMULA champion for the third time in a row. Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International), who has scored points with consistency so far, has the best chance of finishing second before the final. But only one point behind his teammate is compatriot Luca Martucci. All three are chasing the coveted home victory in Monza. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing), who has recently moved closer to the top-runners, has also a great chance of stepping onto the podium.

Timetable BOSS GP GlobeAir Grande Finale Monza:

Friday, 1 October 2021
10:15–10:45 Free Practice 1
14:25–14:55 Free Practice 2

Saturday, 2 October 2021
10:30–11:00 Qualifying
15:35 Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 3 October 2021
12:50 Race 2 (25 minutes)

Report Races Brno

Posted on September 5, 2021 by - General

Double wins for Ingo Gerstl and Harald Schlegelmilch at the Masaryk Racing Days.

The fourth event of the season brought the BOSS GP Racing Series to the Czech Republic’s largest racetrack in Brno on the first weekend of September. On the traditional date of the Masaryk Racing Days, the lively racing programme included some of the fastest race cars in the world, racing against each other.

OPEN class
Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) was once again unbeatable in the screaming Toro Rosso STR1 with a V10 Cosworth engine from 2006. The rivals are still missing, so Gerstl is driving towards the next title. It would be his sixth championship title in the OPEN class of Formula 1 and IndyCar cars. It would bring him up to par with his former rival and BOSS GP record holder Klaas Zwart (NLD). Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) made his debut on the Brno circuit in the popular 1997 Benetton. Despite not having a chance against Gerstl’s much more modern car, Ehninger presented himself in the best possible way on the Czech rollercoaster with two second places – thus keeping the championship open for Ehninger.

FORMULA class
Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) showed early on this weekend that he is the favourite to win in class. After his successful performance at the Red Bull Ring earlier this year, the former Formula 3 professional once again showed the more established competition what he is capable of. Even though championship leader Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) put a lot of pressure on him in the first race, Schlegelmilch kept his nerve in the last generation World Series car and won race 1 by a narrow margin. The next day in the second race Ghiotto started better and took the lead right at the rolling start. But Schlegelmilch, who was a bit slower on the straights, was able to brake later into the corners and take the lead before the halfway point of the race.

Third place in both races was taken by Luca Martucci, who is now just one point behind his team-mate Simone Colombo (both ITA, MM International) in the overall standings. With two fourth places, rookie Colombo got the best out of a weekend that started with an accident in practice. Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio; 5th twice) and Bruno Jarach (EST, Eesti Motorsport; 6th and 7th) also scored solid points. Unlike Andreas Fiedler (GER) and Christian Ferstl (AUT), who were both affected by technical problems.

The next two races of the 2021 BOSS GP Racing Series are on the schedule at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 2 and 3 October.

Pictures: Angelo Poletto and Erwin Strassnig/BOSS GP

Nürburgring race postponed to 2022

Posted on August 23, 2021 by - General

The Cuvee Sensorium Grand Prix originally planned for 13 to 15 August 2021 is postponed until next year.

The scheduled appearance at the Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in August had to be cancelled due to the severe storms in the Ahr valley. A record number of participants had announced their attendance, including Le Mans winner Marco Werner in an IndyCar. The reason for the postponement to 2022 (12 to 14 August) is that the paddock is being used as an operations centre for relief workers in the flooded regions. Tickets which have already been sold will remain valid for the following year.

Dr Willie Beck, Series Coordinator BOSS GP Racing Series:

“After a season already affected by COVID-19, the BOSS GP has so far overcome all hurdles and offered good racing. However, nobody could have predicted what happened in Germany in July. In view of what those events, a cancellation is completely understandable and even though it deprived us all of a great race weekend, our thoughts were and are with the people in the flooded areas.

Now we have to look forward, the great and challenging racetrack in Brno is our next host – we are looking forward to it!”

Photo: Gruppe C

Preview Brno

Posted on September 2, 2021 by - General

The BOSS GP Racing Series is back on the starting grid at the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno.

Europe’s fastest racing series will return to the Automotodrom in Brno this weekend. From Friday to Sunday, 20 of the world’s fastest racing cars representing Formula 1, Formula 2, GP2, World Series by Renault and Formula 3000 will gather in the Czech Republic’s second-largest city for the fourth of five 2021 season events for an unforgettable experience. The public is admitted to the Masaryk Racing Days, and the paddock can also be visited. A weekend ticket costs 16 euros, a one-day ticket 12 euros – tickets are sold directly at the entrances.

With a length of 5.403 kilometres, the circuit on the western outskirts of the city is the second longest on the 2021 BOSS GP race calendar after Monza. Fast and flowing corners alternate with a technically demanding section. Engine power is also a decisive factor because the Czech rollercoaster is steeply uphill in the last third of the track. Ideal terrain, therefore, for Ulf Ehninger (GER, ESBA Racing) in the Benetton B197 and Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso STR1 to bring their V10 power to bear. In the FORMULA class, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) will try to take his sixth win of the season. However, his fiercest opponents, Simone Colombo and Luca Martucci (both ITA, MM International), will have something against it. After a one race break, Red Bull Ring winner Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA, HS Engineering) is also back in the field. In the SUPER LIGHTS, Maurizio Copetti (ITA) is the favourite in his V6 World Series machine.

In addition to the headliner BOSS GP, other race series will take place from Friday to Sunday: Drexler Formula Cup, ESET V4 Cup with the TCR Eastern Europe and the Renault Clio Cup Bohemia, Suzuki Swift Cup Europe and historic racing classes (HAIGO).

Schedule BOSS GP Masaryk Racing Days Brno:

Friday, 3 September 2021
11:10–11:40     Free Practice 1
15:25–15:55     Free Practice 2

Saturday, 4 September 2021
09:30–10:00     Qualifying
15:25               Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 5 September 2021
09:05–09:15     Warm-up
12:15                Race 2 (25 minutes)

Photos: Angelo Poletto, Michael Jurtin/both BOSS GP

Report Race 2 Misano

Posted on June 20, 2021 by - General

Making the most of home advantage: With Ghiotto, Colombo and Martucci again three Italians on the podium.

In even hotter temperatures than yesterday, the BOSS GP drivers were once again enormously challenged in the 25-minute main race at the Misano World Circuit. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), Saturday’s winner, kept his cool from the start and was never in danger of losing his top spot. The championship leader in the FORMULA class won for the fifth time in the sixth race of the season. Ghiotto is now fully on course for title number 3.

The longest on the tail of Ghiotto’s Dallara Formula 2 was compatriot Simone Colombo (MM International), who shared the fastest lap of the race with Ghiotto and bring home second place, as he had done yesterday – but even he could not effectively put the frontrunner under pressure. Nevertheless, after this very successful weekend for the Italian, Colombo also takes the role of the first chaser in the overall standings.

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Marco Ghiotto was unstoppable in Misano

Finishing behind the BOSS GP rookie was MM International teammate Luca Martucci (ITA), who showed unusual caution, especially at the beginning of the race. In the early stages Martucci had fallen behind Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) and even in the slipstream it took him a long time to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre.

Fiedler is celebrating his birthday today, and for a long time it even looked as if he could round it off with a top-3 finish. In the first race, Fiedler was slowed down by a deformed tie rod, and today, too, he had to let both Martucci and newcomer Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering) pass him with degrading tyres in the further stages of the race. Rookie O’Connell again impressed with numerous overtaking manoeuvres in his second ever BOSS GP race.

Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) showed a clean and fearless performance today after yesterday’s unfortunate starting collision – he finished in sixth place. Son Simon (GER, Top Speed), competing for the second time in a BOSS GP race, started cautiously at first, but then improved enormously with similar fast lap times as his dad, overtaking Maurizio Copetti (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) and Christian Ferstl (AUT, Top Speed) for 8th place behind Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio).

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Maurizio Copetti wins the SUPER LIGHTS category

Copetti won the SUPER LIGHTS classification in his V6 WSbN single seater. He was at the front of the pack in the early stages, but a mistake at the end of the last corner almost ended his race. Only with the right movements behind the wheel and a bit of luck he was able to avoid a crash. Gianluca De Lorenzi (RSM, GDL Racing) had to learn early on what can happen when you push too hard. Lying in second place, he also went wide on the curbs in his WSbR Dallara at the end of the last turn. The car than lost contact with the ground, was thrown into the meadow, and then stopped by the tyre barrier. The fourth-placed driver from race 1 had to end the second race very early, but at least without any major damage to man or machine.

After the summer break, the BOSS GP Racing Series will be back in action with the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring (13 to 15 August 2021). Finally with fans again and in the beautiful and prestigious setting of one of the biggest motorsport events in Europe.

Pictures: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report Race 1 Misano

Posted on June 19, 2021 by - General

Ghiotto defends all attacks and triumphs again.

It was not only the asphalt that was boiling on this race Saturday at the BOSS GP premiere at the World Circuit Misano. It also became hot under the helmets, as numerous drivers saw their chances of overall victory this time because of the absence of Formula 1 and IndyCars from the OPEN class.

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) and Gianluca De Lorenzi (RSM, GDL Racing) started the 20-minute race from row 1. But already on the first metres they got company from Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International), who had started from the second row. Martucci pushed alongside and wanted to take the lead. But Ghiotto held his own, braking on the inside and a little later than Martucci, thus retaining the top position. Behind, Martucci ran out of room against Colombo and Fiedler, resulting in a collision with Thomas Jackermeier, who touched Martucci’s Dallara GP2. Both drivers were able to continue the race. Jackermeier, however, only after a safety stop at his crew in the pits.

Further back in the field, Christian Ferstl’s race came to an end on lap 2, while he was in an intense three-way battle with Bruno Jarach (EST, Eesti Motorsport) and Paul O’Connell (IRE, HS Engineering). Because the car of hillclimb specialist Ferstl parked on a dangerous spot, the Fanatec Safety Car was sent out onto the track.

At the restart, Ghiotto was confronted with the next attack, because Colombo tried to pass the defending champion in the first corner, a slow right-left-right combination. But Ghiotto blocked cleverly, and Colombo also demolished his front wing in the failed overtaking attempt. It did not take long for De Lorenzi to take advantage of Colombo’s resulting handling problems and retake second place. The quickest World Series by Renault driver quickly set off in pursuit of Ghiotto – pushing hard with fastest lap times. But Ghiotto was smart with his tyres and really gear up the pace at the halfway point of the race. De Lorenzi, on the other hand, was suddenly busy with Colombo, who was still able to keep Martucci behind him with a slightly damaged front wing. On the penultimate lap, Colombo made the overtaking manoeuvre and passed De Lorenzi. Things got even worse, as Martucci also overtook Gianluca on the very last lap and made it onto the podium.

This meant that the podium was completely in Italian hands this time: Ghiotto triumphed in the fifth race this year for the fourth time in the FORMULA class. BOSS GP rookie Simone Colombo not only scored 22 valuable points with second place, but also his best career finish, and Luca Martucci stood on the class podium for the third time this year.

Colombo (f.) has overtaken De Lorenzi right before the finish

Behind De Lorenzi, O’Connell crossed the finish line in the HS Engineering winning car from Spielberg. The Irishman showed a strong race performance from the last grid position and was rewarded with fifth place. Even the experienced Andreas Fiedler, who even tackled the top-3 in the first laps of the race, and Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) could not keep the BOSS GP newcomer behind them. Simon Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) also finished his very first race respectably and without major difficulties in eight place in the FORMULA classification.

The winner’s trophy in the SUPER LIGHTS classification went to Maurizio Copetti (Scuderia Palladio). Copetti made sure that the Italian anthem was played twice today. After a warm-up at 9:30 a.m., the 25-minute main race of the BOSS GP Racing Series will follow tomorrow, Sunday, at 3:10 p.m. local time (again in the livestream) as part of the Peroni race weekend in Misano.

Pictures: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report Qualifying Misano

Posted on June 19, 2021 by - General

Marco Ghiotto takes pole position at home race.

Two-time BOSS GP champion in the FORMULA class, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), secured the best grid position for both BOSS GP races this afternoon and on Sunday in a thrilling duel for pole position with Gianluca De Lorenzi (RSM, GDL Racing).

Right on time at 10:05 am local time and with an air temperature of nearly 30 degrees, the pit lights at the Misano World Circuit turned green and the engines were fired up. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was the first to set a time in qualifying, but he quickly took a minor role in the battle for the fastest lap time. First Gianluca De Lorenzi (RSM, GDL Racing), this time in a WSbR-Dallara, blew away the best time by more than two seconds on his first lap.

But the opponents, in particular Marco Ghiotto and Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) – all in Formula 2 cars – attacked soon. While De Lorenzi pitted after two fast laps, Ghiotto was able to take the lead with a time of 1:24.761 one minute before the end. Colombo also improved, but remained third behind De Lorenzi, with Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) setting the fourth fastest time.

In Qualifying 2, rookie Thomas Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed) was surprisingly the quickest driver. He only missed Fiedler’s time from Q1 by eight thousandths. Nevertheless, Jackermeier achieved his best qualifying result so far. He starts the race in sixth place. Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) and Christian Ferstl (AUT, Top Speed) follow from row 4.

On row 5 starts the fastest car of the new SUPER LIGHTS class: Maurizio Copetti (ITA) in the World Series by Nissan car run by Scuderia Palladio. Joining him on row five will be Bruno Jarach (EST, Eesti Motorsport). Walter Colacino (ITA, in Formula 3000) and debutant Simon Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed), who could only set one lap time in qualifying, follow on row six.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP