OPEN class: Clear win for Gerstl in Imola
It was a well known picture at the end of the race in the OPEN class: Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) on top of the grid. The Austrian was followed by Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) and Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing).
A great performance during Qualifying in the morning made us think, the leader of the OPEN class and designated Champion of the 2017 season, Ingo Gerstl, would chase a new track record in Imola. With a great lap time of 1:21,703 min the Austrian came close to the current track record of 1:20,411. However, starting from pole position Gerstl drove a start-finish-victory – not for the first time this season – on the legendary track in Imola. He didn’t repeat his super fast laps from Qualifying. But with a gap of 17,270 sec of the second ranked Rinus van Kalmthout it was a sovereign race for the experienced Top Speed driver.
“The race went well. I am super happy with the great lap time, I raced in Qualifying”, Gerstl explained after the race. About van Kalmthout, who drove to P2, Gerstl said: “He drove a great race. One can see – he knows, how to drive. He’s not a sleeping pill.”
Van Kalmthout, starting from position 2 of the overall start grid, showed a souvereign race as well, despite quite a gap to leading Ingo Gerstl. His P2 was never challenged. Phil Stratford as third OPEN class driver finished the race on overall position 5, what meant P3 in his class for him. The American as well drove a souvereign race, starting from position 5 and finishing on position 5 as well.
Rinus van Kalmthout on track in Imola 2017.
On Sunday drivers will go on track for the very last season race. The final will start at 11:00 a.m. Find our live coverage and updates not only on our website, but also on our social media channels:
Results of race 2 of OPEN class at “Peroni Race Weekend”:
| Position | No. | Name | Nat. | Team | Car | Time | Fastest lap (min) | In | Gap | Laps | km/h |
| 1 | 1 | Ingo Gerstl | AUT | Top Speed | Toro Rosso STR1 F1 | 20:44,446 | 1:27,068 | 4 | 14 | 312,7 | |
| 2 | 11 | Rinus van Kalmthout | NED | Mansell Motorsport | Dallara GP2 Evo | 21:02,166 | 1:28,027 | 4 | 17,720 | 14 | 309,1 |
| 3 | 7 | Phil Stratford | USA | Penn Elcom Racing | Bennton B197 F1 | 22:43,452 | 1:31,626 | 4 | 1:41,286 | 14 | 306,5 |
MORE:
Picture gallery of Imola 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/imola-boss-gp-superprix
Schedule Imola 2017: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-peroni-race-weekend-in-imola-ita
OPEN class: Qualifyfing in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-chasing-new-track-record-again
OPEN class: Second free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-van-kalmthout-improves-time
OPEN class: First free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-set-the-speed-at-first-free-training
OPEN class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set
Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings
30/09/2017