Tag: BOSS GP

Report Races Spa

Posted on Agosto 2, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

Ingo Gerstl is chasing Riccardo Ponzio for the lead

The BOSS GP Racing Series showed two fantastic races at Spa.

The compact schedule of two days, the challenging 7-kilometer track and the measures taken against Covid-19 made this race weekend a demanding one for man and material. However, the gentleman series mastered this challenge excellent and put a smile under the masks of everyone involved.

The time differences between the drivers were not only small on paper, no, also the racing among the drivers was impressive. In both races the lead changed several times: Temporarily Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Racing) and even the fastest FORMULA driver, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) were leading the races. In the end, however, V10 power of the Cosworth engine and Ingo Gerstl’s (AUT, Top Speed) experience made the difference. Even minor driving mistakes in both races could not prevent Gerstl’s season wins 3 and 4.

Nevertheless, the beaten Riccardo Ponzio was over the moon. For the first time, the 22-year-old was able to drive his Jaguar R3 over two complete race distances and had the opportunity to show in some stages what is possible for car and driver. We can look forward to some more exciting duels this year.

OPEN class podium in Race 1 and 2: f.l. Ponzio, Gerstl, Ehninger

For Marco Ghiotto the two class wins in Spa-Francorchamps mean the lead in the FORMULA championship ranking. BOSS GP rookie Roman Hoffmann (Hoffmann Racing) also makes a big step forward in the classification. The Austrian not only skillfully made some drifts in both races, but was also able to finish on the podium twice. These were the first BOSS GP trophies for the former touring car ace.

Behind the Leading Car, driven by Fanatec CEO Thomas Jackermeier, the race started as usual with a flying start. In both races, many cars were side-by-side in the approach to the first hairpin. In race 1 Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) tried to gain places at the start, but had to pull back. For the Italian it was an average weekend by his increased standards. He finished fourth in class at his Spa premiere. In the second race he had a spectacular duel with pole setter Marc Faggionato (MCO, Top Speed). Just a couple of laps before the end the two touched each other slightly and Martucci spun out. But with a 22-point gap, Martucci is now Ghiotto’s first chaser. Faggionato could continue and finished third. Walter Steding (GER, MM International) can also be extremely satisfied with fourth place. Due to his consistent performances he is in the Top-4 of the points standings as well.

Race 2 battle between Martucci and Faggionato did not end good

If you have missed the races, you can watch a replay of all the BOSS GP action from Spa on our YouTube channel.

Report Qualifying Spa

Posted on Agosto 2, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

First row for Gerstl and Faggionato.

The heroes of the BOSS GP Racing Series blasted through the Ardennes at around 300 km/h. Fastest in today’s qualifying was once again Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). With a time of 1:55.836, he was the only driver to stay under the two-minute mark for one lap.

Marc Faggionato (MCO, Top Speed), who will exceptionally start for Top Speed this weekend, also put in a strong performance. With a time of 2:03.888 he was four tenths faster than champion Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). Ghiotto will start from the second row, together with fellow countryman Riccardo Ponzio (Adriatica Competition). His beautiful Jaguar R3 was repaired by the team overnight, allowing Ponzio to participate on race day.

Fastest driver in the second qualifying session (for all drivers outside the top 5 of free practice) was Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Hoffmann Racing). With this he surprisingly pushed Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) out of the top 5, with Walter Steding (DEU, MM International) and Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) following in the other places. Michael Aberer in the World Series by Renault classified ninth fastest. Ulf Ehninger in Benetton Formula 1 will start the race from tenth position.

Both races can be followed today, Sunday, in the live stream at www.bossgp.com/livestream. Race 1 starts at 12:05, race 2 at 16:05.

Report: Free Practice Spa

Posted on Agosto 1, 2020 by Keke Platzer - 5, Generale

Here we go: The BOSS GP Racing Series has started its race weekend in Spa.

Two free practice sessions were on the schedule for BOSS GP on day 1 of the 2-day event with the DTM in Spa. On such a difficult and long racetrack, every lap counts and therefore the drivers and teams used every opportunity to prepare for tomorrow’s race day.

Several BOSS GP drivers have not driven at Spa for a long time, some even compete on the Formula 1 circuit for the very first time. It is even more remarkable that, apart from a few breaking lockups, both practice sessions were completed without major incidents. Only Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Racing) had an accident in Eau Rouge due to a technical defect in his Jaguar R3. His team is working hard to be able to compete in tomorrow’s qualifying.

Fastest today was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in the Toro Rosso STR1 with a time of 2:04.369. Best FORMULA driver was Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) ahead of Marc Faggionato (MCO, Top Speed) and Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International). The three pilots are also considered as favourites for tomorrow’s class win. FORMULA champion Ghiotto also completed the most laps (20) today.

Despite significantly fewer laps Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Team Hoffmann), team boss and driver in one, burned the sixth fastest overall time into the asphalt today, ahead of the experienced Florian Schnitzenbaumer (GER, Top Speed), who is sitting in the cockpit of a GP2 Dallara for the first time this year at a race. Also back is Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing), who is driving in an unusual black car. We expect a significant increase of his performance tomorrow.

The qualifying starts tomorrow Sunday at 9:45 am. With 40 minutes, the session is longer than usual, giving all BOSS GP drivers more opportunities to set their best times. Race 1, usually lasting over 20 minutes, will follow at lunchtime at 12:05, race 2 (25 minutes race length) at the conclusion of the DTM event at 16:05. This time, all three sessions can be followed in the free livestream at www.bossgp.com/livestream.

Preview & Guide Spa

Posted on Agosto 1, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

The Big Open Single Seaters are going to rock the Ardennes this weekend.

The fastest racing series in Europe returns to Spa and its famous surroundings: Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and Stavelot. On August 1 and 2, the BOSS GP Racing Series will visit the legendary 7-kilometer Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – after a nine-year break! The wishes of the drivers and teams as well as the circumstances of the last months have finally made a comeback possible. Among others, Ingo Gerstl’s Toro Rosso STR1, Riccardo Ponzio’s Jaguar R3, Ulf Ehninger’s 1997 Benetton as well as numerous GP2 cars will be seen at the event.

Similar to the season opener in Imola three weeks ago, this is also a two-day event. The schedule with almost three hours of driving time is accordingly compact: On Saturday, two practice sessions will be held, followed by qualifications on Sunday and, as usual, two races. In addition to the Formula 1 and Formula 2 racing cars from the last eras, the German Touring Car Masters and the new GT support series “DTM Trophy” will be competing at Spa.

When are the BOSS GP cars on track?

Saturday, 1 August 2020:
11:30–11:55 Free Practice 1 (25 minutes)
16:00–16:35 Free Practice 2 (35 minutes)

Sunday, 2 August 2020:
09:45–10:25 Qualifying (Q1 13 minutes, Q2 24 minutes)
12:05–12:25 Race 1 (20 minutes)
16:05–16:30 Race 2 (25 minutes)

Where can fans follow the races online?

Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to visit the race site due to the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. Nevertheless, fans of the BOSS GP Racing Series can still get a piece of the action: in front of the TV, computer, or smartphone – all thanks to the free livestream on www.bossgp.com/livestream, YouTube or Facebook. The Sunday programme with the qualifications session as well as both races will be streamed. The broadcast will start ten minutes before each session.

You find all results on bossgp.com
Updates as well on Instagram @bossgpofficial and Facebook @bossgpofficial

Report: Race 2 Imola

Posted on Luglio 12, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

Double victorys for Höher and Gerstl at the season opener in Italy.

Guest starter Christopher Höher also won the FORMULA class in race 2. In a convincing manner he crossed the finish line only two seconds behind OPEN winner Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). After finishing third in race 1, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) was able to improve his performance by finishing second behind Höher in the FORMULA class. The defending champion is therefore second in the championship after the first race weekend and is also a contender for the title this year. After a longer period of not being on the podium, Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) was allowed to step on the podium again. With a third place at his debut in an A1GP Lola he is also a real contender in the championship.

Roman Hoffmann impressed after his retirement in the first race with the fourth place in race 2, only three tenths of a second separated him from de Plano and thus from the podium. Luca Martucci finished fifth after a drive-through penalty (wrong position at the flying start). On the following places: Nicolas Matile, Michael Aberer, Bruno Jarach and Walter Steding.

The next race for the Big Open Single Seater will take place on 1-2 August at the DTM event in Spa-Francorchamps.

Report: Race 1 Imola

Posted on Luglio 12, 2020 by Keke Platzer - 5, Generale

Fantastic season opener for the BOSS GP at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Chris Höher (AUT, Top Speed) wins the race in the FORMULA class. Although he was beaten by Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) in the qualifications, in the race none of his fellow racers were able to keep up with Höher’s impressive pace. The 23-year-old former GT3 ace flawlessly secured his fifth BOSS GP racing victory.

Behind him, two thrilling duels kept us in suspence for almost the entire race. Martucci and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) competed for second place in the FORMULA class, while Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) and Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) engaged in a fierce battle for fourth place. While Martucci had to defend himself against Ghiotto until the very end and took a hard-fought second place, the fate of who would take fourth place was determined by a defect in Faggionato’s car, which tipped the scales in favour of de Plano in his A1 GP car. Walter Steding finished the race fifth just behind Nicolas Matile, while Christian Ferstl (AUT Top Speed) finished seventh, which crowned him the best of the six rookies.

In the OPEN class of Formula 1 cars, five-time BOSS GP overall winner Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) did not give in. He drove his Toro Rosso STR1 to overall victory without any troubles. Second place went to Ulf Ehninger, who achieved his best BOSS GP result so far. Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatico Competition) was unable to start with his Jaguar R3 due to mechanical failure. Race 2 starts at 16:15.

Report Qualifying Imola

Posted on Luglio 11, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

Ingo Gerstl on pole, fastest FORMULA driver was Luca Martucci.

The first qualifying session this season for the BOSS GP Racing Series brought a big surprise. While Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) will once again start from pole position with the Toro Rosso STR1, the Italian Luca Martucci (MM International) will start for the very first time from row 1. At his home race, the GP2 driver brought himself into an excellent position in the battle for victory in the FORMULA class.

From row 2 the actual favourites Christopher Höher (AUT, Top Speed) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) will start the first of two races this weekend. Only a few tenths of a second separated the three fastest GP2 drivers from each other.

Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) was able to fulfil high expectations by finishing fifth overall. After a messed up 2019 season, Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Coloni) can be pleased with 6th place, as this is his first time in an A1 GP Lola car. Walter Steding (DEU) also boasted an impressive performance as as he qualified in his first outing with his new team Scuderia Palladio ahead of Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) in the Benetton B197 Formula 1. Roman Hoffmann (AUT, Hoffmann Racing) proved to be the fastest of the BOSS GP rookies: he finished 10th overall.

Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Competition) could not participate in the qualifying. The engine of his Jaguar R3 needs to be changed until tomorrow. The 20-minute race 1 starts at 11:15 and, race 2 over a distance of 25 minutes at 16:15.

Preview & Guide Imola

Posted on Luglio 11, 2020 by Keke Platzer - 5, Generale

BOSS GP brings back world-class motorsport to Italy this weekend.

The 26th BOSS GP racing season kicks off with Forza Fanatec in Imola (July 11th-12th), where the season finale is set to take place just 15 weeks later. The BOSS GP races are the first major motorsport event in Italy after the lockdown. Just like the races in Spa at the beginning of August (1-2), the meeting is a two-day event without spectators on site.

In Imola, there are a couple of new drivers and cars on the grid. All eyes are certainly on the 22-year-old Italian Riccardo Ponzio, who will make his debut with a 2002 Formula 1 car from Jaguar. With Ulf Ehninger (Benetton B197) and OPEN champion Ingo Gerstl (Toro Rosso STR1) two more Formula 1 cars are in the mix.

Other debutants are Austrian hill-climb specialist Christian Ferstl, former touring car ace Roman Hoffmann (both GP2) and Michael Aberer (AUT, WSbR). Also participating for the first time in the FORMULA class are Estonian Bruno Jarach and Italian Roberto Vanni, who will compete in the only Formula 3000 car.

They will take on champion Marco Ghiotto (Scuderia Palladio), Luca Martucci (MM International) and Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed), among others. We can also be excited about the first appearance of Salvatore De Plano in the A1GP Lola car of Coloni.

The new dry tyre from Pirelli in purple also makes its debut. This tyre is intended to enable experienced drivers to achieve faster lap times and make it easier for less experienced drivers to handle the “black gold”.

Modern and historic sports car and touring car series will round up the Gruppo Peroni event, as well as the Lotus Cup and the Alfa Revival Cup.

When are the BOSS GP cars on track?

Saturday, 11 July 2020:
10:35–11:05 Free Practice 1 (30 minutes)
12:50–13:20 Free Practice 2 (30 minutes)
16:10–16:40 Qualifying (Q1 20 minutes, Q2 8 minutes)

Sunday, 12 July 2020:
11:15–11:35 Race 1 (20 minutes)
16:15–16:40 Race 2 (25 minutes)

Where can fans follow the races online?

Gruppo Peroni livestream on www.youtube.com/user/PeroniRace
Livetiming and results on www.autodromoimola.it/live-timing-imola
All results on bossgp.com as well
Up-to-date with Instagram @bossgpofficial and Facebook @bossgpofficial

BOSS GP goes to Spa

Posted on Giugno 30, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

Europe’s fastest racing series will be driving together with the DTM in Belgium on 1-2 August.

With the famous corners of Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and Stavelot, the participants can expect an unforgettable experience in a formula racing car. For the first time since 2011, the legendary circuit of Spa-Francorchamps will become part of the BOSS GP race calendar once again. The second race weekend in the Belgian Ardennes will take place on 1 and 2 August together with German touring cars. The event will last two days, as usual with two BOSS GP races in the program.

According to current information, no spectators are planned. However, in cooperation with the DTM, BOSS GP will provide a free live stream for its international fans.

Six races spread over four months and in four different countries, all on current or former Formula 1 or MotoGP racetracks. Despite the difficult circumstances this year, the BOSS GP Racing Series is able to present a very attractive racing calendar to its participants and fans.

11/12 July Imola (Italy) Forza Fanatec
1/2 August Spa (Belgium) DTM
4–6 September Brno (Czech Republic) Masaryk Racing Days
26/27 September Assen (Netherlands) Cuvee Sensorium Grand Prix
9–11 October Mugello (Italy) BOSS Mugello Grand Prix
23–25 October Imola (Italy) Pirelli Grande Finale

Season starts in July

Posted on Giugno 20, 2020 by Keke Platzer - Generale

Luca Martucci in his GP2 drives down the pit lane

First BOSS GP races will be held in Imola on 11 and 12 July.

The event and travel restrictions have also affected the BOSS GP Racing Calendar in 2020. Nevertheless, there is good news: The championship can start in just a few weeks. The first two races will already be held on the weekend of 11 and 12 July at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. This makes the BOSS GP races “Forza Fanatec” in Imola the first major motor sport event in Italy after the Coronavirus crisis. By the way, the season finale in October will also take place on the former Formula 1 racetrack in Imola.

The event is hosted by the experienced organizers of Gruppo Peroni. The event will last two days, and there will also be several support races. Whether spectators will be allowed has not yet been decided. Further details will be published on www.bossgp.com in the next few days.

11/12 July Imola (Italy) Forza Fanatec
4–6 September Brno (Czech Republic) Masaryk Racing Days
25–27 September Assen (Netherlands) Cuvee Sensorium Grand Prix
9–11 October Mugello (Italy) BOSS Mugello Grand Prix
23–25 October Imola (Italy) Pirelli Grande Finale

In addition, the organizers of BOSS GP are currently making intensive efforts to hold another race on a well-known Formula 1 racetrack in August. This would ensure the originally planned twelve races on six race weekends in this year’s BOSS GP Racing Series calendar.