Tag: F1

Season highlight: BOSS GP at Hockenheim F1

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Europe’s fastest racing series is part of the German Grand Prix weekend and for the first time support series of Formula 1.

The big stage
For the second time this season the Big Open Single Seater will come to Hockenheim. Like the season opener three months ago, the 20 players of the BOSS GP are bringing powerful sounds and high speed to the Motodrom. The 4.5-kilometer Grand Prix circuit will be the stage for a premiere: for the first time, the BOSS GP will drive as a support series for the Formula 1 World Championship.

The BOSS GP is for the second time this year in Hockenheim

The Protagonists

20 cars divided into two classes – that is the setting for the BOSS GP premiere at Hockenheim. In the OPEN class Formula 1 and IndyCars are allowed, the engines are unrestricted. Four brave starters of the highest class compete in the magic Motodrom: The triple BOSS GP Champion Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) from Austria with the very first Toro Rosso Formula 1 car; the American Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) in 1997-Benetton by Jean Alesi (team mate Gerhard Berger won the 1997 German Grand Prix in the identical car); Hans Laub (Speed Center) in the Forti FG 03, a rare piece of racing history; Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing) in the white and red Super Aguri from 2006, with 10 cylinders and 800 hp Cosworth power.

Starting No.	Name	Team	Nat.	Car
1	Ingo Gerstl	Top Speed	AUT	Toro Rosso STR1
7	Phil Stratford	Penn Elcom Racing	USA	Benetton B197
22	Hans Laub	Speed Center	DEU	Forti FG 03
26	Wolfgang Jaksch	F Xtreme Racing Team	DEU	Super Aguri 06

Fast identes Material haben die 16 Akteure der FORMULA zur Verfügung: 14 der 16 Teilnehmer starten mit Dallara-GP2-Rennfahrzeugen, allerdings mit unterschiedlichen Aerodynamik-Ausbaustufen. Der Franzose „Piter“ und der deutsche BOSS GP-Dauerbrenner Karl-Heinz Becker starten in Boliden der World Series by Nissan bzw. Renault. Die heißesten Kandidaten auf die Siege am Wochenende sind Tabellenführer Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) aus Deutschland und Armando Mangini (MM International) aus Italien, der das letzte Rennen in Monza gewinnen konnte. Nicht außer Acht lassen dürfen wir Bernd Herndlhofer (Top Speed), der Ex-Meister startet zum ersten Mal in diesem Jahr in der FORMULA. Nach einem Rennen Pause ist Bianca Steiner (Top Speed) zurück: Die junge Österreicherin holte zuletzt am Red Bull Ring ihr erstes Podest. Sie ist übrigens nicht die einzige Dame im Starterfeld, Veronica Cicha (H&A Racing) ist schon länger fester Bestandteil der BOSS GP.

Starting No.	Name	Team	Nat.	Car
100	Thomas Jakoubek	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
101	Peter Göllner	Speed Center	SUI	Dallara GP2
105	Wolfgang Jordan	H&A Racing	DEU	Dallara GP2
110	Bianca Steiner	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
111	“Piter”	Ray-Ban	FRA	Dallara WSbR
221	Bernd Herndlhofer	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
222	Veronica Cicha	H&A Racing	CZE	Dallara GP2
321	Andreas Fiedler	Fiedler Racing	DEU	Dallara GP2
323	Armando Mangini	MM International	ITA	Dallara GP2
324	Gianluca Ripoli	MM International	ITA	Dallara GP2
377	Luca Martucci	MM International	ITA	Dallara GP2
411	Karl-Heinz Becker	Becker Motorsport	DEU	Dallara WSbN
505	Walter Steding	Inter Europol Competition	DEU	Dallara GP2
555	Christian Eicke	Speed Center	SUI	Dallara GP2
666	Roy Glaser	Speed Center	SUI	Dallara GP2
888	Florian Schnitzenbaumer	Top Speed	DEU	Dallara GP2

German Wolfgang Jaksch (l.) comes as race winner to his home race

Season so far

Ingo Gerstl has dominated the OPEN class so far. Most recently in Monza, however, Phil Stratford in the Benetton F1 was the first to take Gerstl’s pace in the Toro Rosso F1, although Gerstl also clinched overall and class victory for the fifth time in six races up to now. In the second Monza race, both Gerstl and Stratford fell victim to a starting collision. The beneficiary of this unfortunate situation was Wolfgang Jaksch (Super Aguri F1). The German won in Monza for the first time this season, for the second time ever in the BOSS GP – right on time before his home race at Hockenheim. Hans Laub has only been on the track for testing purposes with his Forti F1 so far, and the German’s first race will take place this weekend.

The FORMULA is tighter and only slightly more silent. Four different winners in six races so far this season prove that this class is closer than ever before. In the overall standings after 6 of 14 races Schnitzenbaumer (120 points) leads ahead of Fiedler (101) and Mangini (87).

Timetable: BOSS GP at Grosser Preis von Deutschland

Friday, 20 July 2018
13:00–13:25: Free Practice 1
18:30–18:55: Free Practice 2

Saturday, 21 July 2018
10:40–11:10: Qualifying
18:00–18:25: Race 1

Sunday, 22. July 2018
11:10–11:40: Race 2

Report: Race 2 Monza

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

This race was not for the faint-hearted: Wolfgang Jaksch (Super Aguri) wins surprisingly, in the FORMULA classification Armando Mangini (Dallara GP2) still wins today.

It took six races until Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was not on the podium of the OPEN classification for the first time this year: Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing) is the big surprise winner of the second race day in Monza. The German won his second BOSS GP race after Assen in 2017.

Right at the start, the German benefited from an unfortunate manoeuvre by the pilots in front of him. While Jaksch overtook Armando Mangini (MM International) at the start, the first three of the starting group headed for the first corner: Ingo Gerstl was the first to turn into the Prima variante, but the Toro Rosso was hit by Phil Stratford‘s Benetton (Penn Elcom Racing). Stratford had to avoid Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) when braking. The Dutchman had made a mistake with cold brakes – the chain reaction led to the retirement of Ingo Gerstl (rear right puncture) and Phil Stratford (broken snout).

Starting incident with Gerstl, Stratford, Van Kalmthout andJaksch

After two laps behind the safety car Van Kalmthout overtook the leader Jaksch. The duels behind were Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) against Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing) and David Moretti (Griffith’s). Once again the race was interrupted by a mistake of Christian Eicke (Speed Center). He had parked his WSbR-Dallara in the gravel bed of the Variante Ascari.

When the race was resumed, Van Kalmthout, who was in 1st place, entered the pits. He parked his car a little later. Jaksch took the lead after the bad luck of the last races and days. The later winner caused a moment of shock only once when he grazed the gravel at the end of the second Lesmo curve.

10 minutes before the end of the 25-minute race Andreas Fiedler crashed into the rear of his front man Florian Schnitzenbaumer. Schnitzenbaumer spun into the gravel bed, Fiedler hit the tyre stacks of the Ascari variant frontally. The German could not get out on his own and had to be brought to the Medical Center in an ambulance. According to initial information, he hurt his back. We wish him all the best!

OPEN:

Wolfgang JAKSCH (SUI) Super Aguri FA SA06 Cosworth 9 Laps
Rinus van Kalmthout (NED) Dallara GP2 Judd + 3 Laps

Fastest lap: Rinus VAN KALMTHOUT – 1:37.058 min

FORMULA:

Armando MANGINI (ITA) Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 9 Laps
Marco GHIOTTO (ITA) Dallara GP2 Mecachrome + 0.452 sec
David MORETTI (FRA) Dallara GP2 Mecachrome + 1.054 sec

Fastest lap: Marco GHIOTTO – 1:39.693 min

While Wolfgang Jaksch won the OPEN class, two Italians won the two biggest trophies in the FORMULA class: Armando Mangini was victorious ahead of Marco Ghiotto. Ghiotto, yesterday’s winner of the FORMULA class, stopped at the pre-start. The Italian started from the pits and was the last to follow the field, he benefited from the retirements in the race. David Moretti was ranked third, the Frenchman was on the BOSS GP podium for the first time. Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition) finished fourth in the FORMULA classification ahead of Veronica Cicha (H&A Racing). “Piter” also scored many points on his first visit to Monza in sixth place. Wolfgang Jordan‘s race was unlucky: The German spun in the warm-up lap and was thrown away. Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport) had his first problem-free race weekend of the year in mind. Shortly before the end of the Red Flag race, however, he rolled out.

Quotes after the race:

OPEN winner Wolfgang Jaksch: “I let Rinus pass because he was pushing. The plan was to hang on to him and maybe because I have a little more power, I can pass him in the last lap. I had a good pace today, felt much better in the car than yesterday. Once I got into gravel, it was brutal, but luckily I still caught the car. I wanted to win the race today. Hats off to Ingo (Gerstl, note) yesterday. “What times he’s able to set is sensational.”

FORMULA winner Armando Mangini: “That was Grande Casino today. I don’t even know how I got through it.”

The next race of the BOSS GP 2018 will be the highlight of the season. For the first time, the BOSS GP will be part of the Formula 1 World Championship. 25 BOSS GP cars are expected for Hockenheim (July 20 to 22).

Photos: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Report: Qualifying Monza

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Ingo Gerstl (Toro Rosso STR1) starts the races in Monza ahead of Rinus van Kalmthout (GP2 Dallara Judd) and Phil Stratford (Benetton B197). Best Italian: Marco Ghiotto (GP2 Dallara) in 4th place.

With 1:26.6 min the Austrian Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was over three seconds faster than the quickest time in qualifying 2016. The average speed in the fastest lap was over 240 kilometers per hour. The measured top speed was over 340 kph at the end of the start-finish straight. Gerstl in his Toro Rosso STR1 is by far the favourite for the race victory in the afternoon race (start: 4:40 pm).

Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing), who started in qualifying session 1, only set one lap, and this at the end of the session, which was only eight minutes long. Rinus van Kalmthout, who did not start until Q2, snatched the American just before the end of the session from the front row. The 17-year-old Dutchman in the GP2-Dallara with Judd engine was faster than Stratford, especially in the first sector. The time gap of only two tenths of a second means that Mansell Motorsport’s team-mates can expect a hot race.

f.l. Ingo Gerstl, Marco Ghiotto

With an outside temperature of almost 30 degrees centigrade already in the morning hours, the Italian Marco Ghiotto felt very comfortable. In front of many friends and guests he qualified as the best FORMULA pilot. With rank 4 he is also one place ahead of Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing). The Super Aguri of the German was repaired yesterday after the practice accident (damage to the front suspension and front wing). With 1:36.3 min he set his personal best time this weekend.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) provided the only Full Course Yellow. The German stopped beside the track after a driving mistake. He was fourth fastest FORMULA driver behind Ghiotto, Armando Mangini and David Moretti. He was closely followed by Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing), who lost only three tenths to the points leader in his green Dallara. Walter Steding did well at his fourth appearance in Monza. He finished 10th, ahead of BOSS GP returner Wolfgang Jordan, Karl-Heinz Becker and Veronica Cicha. Christian Eicke (Speed Center) complained about the interruptions in practice yesterday, in qualifying he could complete at least 11 (and thus most) laps. With 1:42.7 min he is close to the midfield. The Frenchman “Piter” (Ray-Ban), who also had his best time of the weekend in qualifying, showed a significant improvement.

f.l. Veronica Cicha, David Moretti

Hans Laub‘s Forti stayed in the pits today, the German from Speed Center assists Christian Eicke as a mechanic for the rest of the weekend. We will see the popular Formula 1 racing car again in Hockenheim. Thomas Jakoubek is also thinking about Hockenheim. The Top Speed driver had injured his ribs during an race kart event just before the weekend and is resting for the highlight of the season.

Photos: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Report: Freies Training Monza

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) war beim ersten Abtasten der Strecke vorne. Rote Flaggen unterbrachen die zwei Trainings am Freitag mehrfach.

v.l. Armando Mangini, Rinus van Kalmthout, Wolfgang Jaksch, David Moretti, Wolfgang Jordan

OPEN
Die Bestzeit des heutigen Tages stellte Ingo Gerstl im zweiten der beiden Trainings auf, mit 1:28.5 min unterbot der amtierende Champion die 1:30er-Marke locker. Im zweiten Freien Training war Gerstl nur drei Runden gefahren, dennoch war er abermals der Schnellste – damit bringt sich der Top-Speed-Fahrer in die Favoritenrolle fürs Qualifying morgen Vormittag (10:35 Uhr).

Nach dem Getriebeschaden und der vorzeitigen Abreise vom Red Bull Ring ist Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) wieder zurück in der BOSS GP. Der US-Amerikaner setzte mit seinem Benetton-Formel-1 zweimal die zweitschnellste Zeit. Im ersten Training strandete er in Lesmo 1, einer Rechtskurve im mittleren Streckenabschnitt, im Kiesbett und musste abgeschleppt werden.

Viele Runden, zumindest im ersten Training, spulte Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing) ab. Nachdem der Super Aguri SA 06 nach Hockenheim wieder flott gemacht wurde, war jeder Kilometer für den Deutschen wichtig. Im zweiten Training drehte er sich ausgangs der zweiten Schikane in die Leitplanke – ob technisch bedingt oder durch einen Fahrfehler ist noch nicht geklärt.

In letzter Sekunde nannte Hans Laub (Speed Center) anstatt eines World-Series-Autos seinen Formel 1 aus dem Jahr 1996: Der weiß-grüne Forti (in Monza zum ersten Mal 2018 dabei) gehört zu den Publikumslieblingen, an diesem Wochenende wird vorrangig geprobt fürs Saisonhighlight in Hockenheim (20.–22. Juli 2018).

Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) im getunten GP2 mit Judd-Motor war ohne Transponder unterwegs, darum gibt es vom jungen Niederländer noch keine Zeiten.

v.l. Florian Schnitzenbaumer, “Piter”, David Moretti

FORMULA
Mit 1:38.490 min hat sich Marco Ghiotto bei seinem ersten BOSS GP-Start 2018 als schnellster FORMULA-Pilot positioniert. Der Italiener darf als Gesamt-Vierter dieses Trainingstages morgen in Q1 an den Start gehen. Mit ihm darf das noch ein zweiter Italiener, Armando Mangini von MM International. Beide haben damit den Vorteil einer freien Bahn. Der fehlende Windschatten auf einer so schnellen Strecke wie in Monza könnte allerdings auch ein Nachteil sein.

Qualifying 1 um Zweizehntelsekunden verpasst hat Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed). Der deutsche Tabellenführer hatte in beiden Trainings Ausrutscher, und ist auf der Zeitenliste deswegen nur auf Rang 6 gesamt zu finden. Zu rechnen ist morgen auch mit David Moretti (Griffith’s), der mit 1:41 min ebenfalls auf hohem Niveau dabei ist. Der Italiener verlor im zweiten Testlauf weitere Trainingszeit, der in Lotus-Farben lackierte Dallara rutschte in den Kiesauslauf. Unauffällig durchs Training kamen Andreas Fiedler, Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition), Christian Eicke (Speed Center) und Wolfgang Jordan (H&A Racing). Auch der älteste Teilnehmer im Feld, Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport), hatte Anschluss zum Mittelfeld. Thomas Jakoubek (Top Speed), Veronica Cicha (H&A Racing) und Monza-Newcomer „Piter“ (Ray-Ban) reihten sich auf die weiteren Plätze.

Das Qualifying läuft morgen ab 10:35 Uhr und ist in zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt: Die ersten Fünf des heutigen Trainingstages dürfen in den ersten 10 Minuten auf die Rennstrecke, danach die restlichen 12 genannten Piloten.

Fotos: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Report: Free Practice Monza

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was in front at the first probing of the track. Red flags interrupted the two training sessions on Friday several times.

f.l. Armando Mangini, Rinus van Kalmthout, Wolfgang Jaksch, David Moretti, Wolfgang Jordan

OPEN
Ingo Gerstl set the best time of today in the second of the two practice sessions, with 1:28.5 min the reigning champion easily undercut the 1:30 mark. In the second free practice session Gerstl had only completed three laps, but he was once again the quickest – so the Top Speed driver will be the favourite for tomorrow’s qualifying (10:35 a.m.).

After the gearbox damage and early departure from the Red Bull Ring, Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) is back in BOSS GP. The American set the second fastest time twice with his Benetton Formula 1. In the first practice he stranded in Lesmo 1, a right turn in the middle section of the track, in the gravel bed and had to be towed away.

Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing) was able to complete many laps, at least in the first practice session. After the Super Aguri was made fit again after Hockenheim, every kilometre was important for the German. In the second practice he spun into the safety barrier at the exit of the second chicane – whether for technical reasons or a driving error has not yet been clarified.

Hans Laub (Speed Center) last-minutely choose his 1996 Formula 1 instead of a World Series car: The green and white Forti is one of the favourites of the fans.

Rinus van Kalmthout in the tuned GP2 with a V8 Judd engine was on the road without a transponder, so there are no times yet for the young Dutchman.

f.l. Florian Schnitzenbaumer, “Piter”, David Moretti

FORMULA
With 1:38,490 min Marco Ghiotto has positioned himself as the fastest FORMULA pilot at his first BOSS GP start in 2018. The Italian will be fourth overall on this training day and qualified for Q1 tomorrow. With him, a second Italian qualified for the first Qualifying: Armando Mangini from MM International.

By two tenths of a second Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) missed Q1. The German leader of the standings had slips in both training sessions, and is only ranked 6th overall on the timesheet. David Moretti, who was also be at a high level with 1:41 min, can be a dark horse tomorrow. The Italian lost more training time in the second practice session, the Lotus-coloured Dallara slipped off the track. Andreas Fiedler, Walter Steding, Christian Eicke and Wolfgang Jordan came through the training inconspicuously. The oldest participant in the field, Karl-Heinz Becker, was also in midfield. Thomas Jakoubek, Veronica Cicha and Monza newcomer “Piter” joined the ranks.

The qualifying will start tomorrow at 10:35 a.m. and is divided into two groups. The first five of today’s training day may go to the race track in the first 10 minutes, after that the remaining 12 drivers.

Pictures: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Report: Free Practice 2 Spielberg

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Phil Stratford with his Benetton in the uphill section

11 drivers took part in the second and last free practice session before qualifying (Saturday, 9:40 am). Among others Ingo Gerstl, the fastest of the morning, stayed in the pit.

In dry conditions Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) set the best time in the Dallara GP2. Only shortly before the end the US-American Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) could readjust the order again in his Benetton Formula 1. Stratford had already announced, that he would take it slower today, collecting kilometres was the motto for the runner-up in the championship – he completed 14 laps within the 25 minutes.

Natural spectacle: Armando Mangini on one of the most beautiful race tracks in the world

Fast again (3rd place, 1:19.8 min), but with difficulties: The Austrian Reinhard Kofler ran only three laps in the second practice session. The Austrian rolled out in the second corner. When rolling out, he crossed the circuit, which can be described as quite precarious. Fortunately, cars and drivers remained safe.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer and Bianca Steiner (both Top Speed) were on tandem flight again around the Red Bull Ring. The two placed 5th and 6th, behind Armando Mangini (1:19.997 min; MM International), who lost one second to Johann Ledermair’s FORMULA best time.

Peter Göllner had some troubles during practice

Like in the first training Peter Göllner had technical difficulties, a long evening awaits the mechanics of Speed Center. Karl-Heinz Becker in the only World Series car was certainly not yet on the limit of vehicle and driver with 1:33.8 min.

The two races will start on Saturday at 3:05 pm and on Sunday at 10:40 am. Admission to the Rundstreckentrophy in Spielberg, Austria is free.

Zurück im neuen Zuhause: BOSS GP in Spielberg

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Das Wahrzeichen des Red Bull Ring: der Bulle

Die Traditionsveranstaltung Leeb Rundstreckentrophy ist nach einjähriger Pause zurück im Rennkalender der Big Open Single Seater.

Zweite Station: Mammutprogramm
Im Vorjahr musste die BOSS GP das beliebte Rennen in Spielberg aussetzen. Aufgrund des einmaligen Gastspiels beim Jumbo Race Festival in Zandvoort trat die BOSS GP nicht auf der Grand-Prix-Strecke am Red Bull Ring an. Das Rennen in den Niederlanden war genau am selben Termin angesetzt wie das Stammrennen der Serie in Österreich. Da man 2018 nur einmal in den Niederlanden antreten wird, und zwar von 17. bis. 19. August in Assen, steht einem Heimrennen für die in Österreich angemeldete Rennserie diesmal nichts im Wege.

Die BOSS GP ist der Hauptprogrammpunkt, der von Gerhard Leeb organisierten Rundstreckentrophy. Die österreichischen Rennfans haben an diesem Wochenende das einzige Mal die Gelegenheit, Formel-1-Autos aus der Zehnzylinder-Ära in Rennaction zu sehen. Durch den Wegfall des Truck Grand Prix ist die Rundstreckentrophy in diesem Jahr zudem die erste Großveranstaltung am Red Bull Ring. Neben der schnellsten Rennserie Europas starten der GT4 Central European Cup, die GT-, Tourenwagen- und Formelrennen der FIA-Zentraleuropazone, der Škoda Octavia Cup, der Kia Platinum Cup und die DMV Sportwagen-Serie.

Ingo Gerstl (Toro Rosso STR1) und Klaas Zwart (Jaguar R5)

Ein episches Duell lieferten sich Ingo Gerstl (vorne) und Klaas Zwart (hinten) beim letzten Auftritt der BOSS GP in Spielberg 2016

Red Bull Ring: ein Naturschauspiel
Hermann Tilke, der weltweit renommierteste Streckenarchitekt, hat sich der Gestaltung des neuen Red Bull Ring angenommen. Entstanden ist eine Rennstrecke wie ein Erlebnispark, die von der FIA mit dem höchsten Standard, als „Grade A“, homologiert wurde. Die Länge von 4,318 km entspricht der Grand-Prix-Streckenführung von 1996 bis 2003. Seit 2011 ist die Strecke, rund 75 Kilometer nordwestlich von Graz, wieder geöffnet, seit 2014 gastiert die Formel-1-Weltmeisterschaft wieder in Spielberg, seit 2016 der Motorrad-Grand-Prix. Eine Besonderheit der Rennstrecke sind die Höhenunterschiede (maximale Steigung 12 %, maximales Gefälle 9,3 %) und die prachtvolle Einbettung in die Alpen-Landschaft.

Teilnehmer: BOSS GP
Ein Hubraumlimit für die Motoren gibt es in der OPEN-Klasse nicht – „anything goes – alles geht“ ist hier die Devise. Vier Formel-1-Fahrer hatten sich angekündigt, zwei treten den Weg nach Spielberg an: Ingo Gerstl, BOSS-GP-Meister und Gewinner der letzten beiden Rennen in Spielberg 2016, und der US-Amerikaner Phil Stratford im Berger-Benetton aus dem Jahr 1997.

Start-Nr.	Name	Team	Nat.	Auto
1	Ingo Gerstl	Top Speed	AUT	Toro Rosso STR1
7	Phil Stratford	Penn Elcom Racing	USA	Benetton B197

Mit Johann Ledermair kommt in Spielberg ein Ex-Champion zurück

12 Starter und eine Starterin sind in der kleineren FORMULA-Klasse gemeldet, darunter der Gewinner der ersten beiden Rennen in Hockenheim: Florian Schnitzenbaumer. Kurzfristig vom Arrows-Formel-1 auf einen GP2 umgestiegen ist Bernd Herndlhofer, der anstatt der Tschechin Veronika Cicha fährt, die gemeinsam mit ihrem Lebensgefährten Wolfgang Jaksch ab dem nächsten Rennen wieder dabei ist. Nach seinem Unfall im ersten Rennen in Hockenheim befindet sich Salvatore de Plano auf dem Weg der Besserung, die zwei Rennen in Spielberg lässt der Italiener aber aus. Sein Comeback gibt Johann Ledermair aus Tirol, der 2012 und 2015 den Titel in der zweiten Klasse holte.

Start-Nr.	Name	Team	Nat.	Auto
100	Thomas Jakoubek	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
101	Peter Göllner	Speed Center	SUI	Dallara GP2
110	Bianca Steiner	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
121	TBA	Top Speed		Dallara GP2
221	Bernd Herndlhofer	H&A Racing	AUT	Dallara GP2
321	Andreas Fiedler	Fiedler Racing	DEU	Dallara GP2
323	Armando Mangini	MM International	ITA	Dallara GP2
411	Karl-Heinz Becker	Becker Motorsport	DEU	Dallara WSbR
444	Johann Ledermair	Ledermair Motorsport	AUT	Dallara GP2
505	Walter Steding	Inter Europol Competition	DEU	Dallara GP2
555	Christian Eicke	Speed Center	DEU	Dallara GP2
565	Hans Laub	Speed Center	DEU	Dallara GP2
888	Florian Schnitzenbaumer	Speed Center	SUI	Dallara GP2

Zeitplan: BOSS GP bei der Leeb Rundstreckentrophy
Am Donnerstag gibt es bereits Testfahrten am Ring, die Veranstaltung selbst beginnt am Freitag, ab 8 Uhr. Bis 19 Uhr gibt es sowohl Freitag als auch Samstag jede Menge Rennaction, am Sonntag ist um 16 Uhr Schluss.

Freitag, 18. Mai 2018

9:30 Uhr–9:55 Uhr: Freies Training 1
18:00 Uhr–18:25 Uhr: Freies Training 2

Samstag, 19. Mai 2018

9:40 Uhr–10:10 Uhr: Qualifying
15:05 Uhr–15:40 Uhr: Rennen 1

Sonntag, 20. Mai 2018

10:40 Uhr–11:15 Uhr: Rennen 2

Die Wettervorhersage fürs Wochenende ist gemischt: Sonne und Regen sollen sich abwechseln

Freier Eintritt und offenes Fahrerlager
Freunde des Formel- und Tourenwagensportes kommen bei der Leeb Rundstreckentrophy sicher auf ihre Rechnung: An allen drei Tagen gibt es freien Eintritt, inkludiert ist dabei der Besuch des Fahrerlagers. Die Fahrzeuge der BOSS GP befinden sich in den Garagen mit den Nummern 12 bis 20, seine Zelte im Fahrerlager hat Andreas Fiedler (Dallara-GP2) aufgeschlagen – auf Höhe Box-Nummer 18.

Back at the new home: BOSS GP in Spielberg

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

After a one-year break, the traditional event Leeb Rundstreckentrophy is back in the racing calendar of the Big Open Single Seater.

Second station: Huge program
Last year, the BOSS GP had to suspend the popular race in Spielberg. Due to the unique appearance at the Jumbo Race Festival in Zandvoort, the BOSS GP did not compete on the Grand Prix circuit at the Red Bull Ring. The race in the Netherlands was scheduled exactly on the same date as the regular race of the series in Austria. This year only one race will be held in the Netherlands, from 17th to 19th August in Assen, so nothing stands in the way of a home race for the Austrian race series.

The BOSS GP is the main event of the Rundstreckentrophy organized by Gerhard Leeb. Austrian racing fans have the only opportunity to see Formula 1 cars from the ten-cylinder era in racing action this weekend. Due to the discontinuation of the Truck Grand Prix, the Rundstreckentrophy is also this year’s first major event on the Red Bull Ring. In addition to Europe’s fastest racing series, the GT4 Central European Cup, the GT, touring car and formula races of the FIA Central European Zone, the Škoda Octavia Cup, the Kia Platinum Cup and the DMV sports car series will start.

In 2016 we saw an epic duel of Ingo Gerstl (front) and Klaas Zwart (back)

Red Bull Ring: a natural spectacle
Hermann Tilke, the world’s most renowned track architect, has taken on the design of the new Red Bull Ring. The result is a racetrack like an adventure park, homologated by the FIA with the highest standard, as “Grade A”. The track, about 75 kilometres north-west of Graz, has been reopened in 2011, the Formula 1 World Championship has been back in Spielberg since 2014 and the Motorcycle Grand Prix since 2016. A special feature of this racetrack is the difference in altitude (maximum uphill slope of 12 %, maximum downhill slope of 9.3 %) and the magnificent embedding in the Alpine landscape.

Participants: BOSS GP
There is no engine capacity limit in the OPEN class – “anything goes” is the slogan here. Four Formula 1 drivers had announced their start, two are on their way to Spielberg: Ingo Gerstl, BOSS GP Champion and winner of the last two races at Spielberg 2016, and the American Phil Stratford in the 1997 Berger-Benetton.

Start-No.	Name	Team	Nat.	Car
1	Ingo Gerstl	Top Speed	AUT	Toro Rosso STR1
7	Phil Stratford	Penn Elcom Racing	USA	Benetton B197

Comebacker Johann Ledermair is a former BOSS GP champion

13 starters are registered in the smaller FORMULA class, including the winner of the first two races at Hockenheim: Florian Schnitzenbaumer. Bernd Herndlhofer changed for his home race from his temperamental Arrows Formula 1 car to a GP2 Dallara. He stands in for the Czech Veronika Cicha, who will be back in the series together with her partner Wolfgang Jaksch from the next race on. After his accident in the first race at Hockenheim, Salvatore de Plano is on the road to recovery, but the Italian misses the two races at Spielberg. His comeback will give Johann Ledermair from Tyrol, who won the title in the second class in 2012 and 2015.

Start-No.	Name	Team	Nat.	Car
100	Thomas Jakoubek	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
101	Peter Göllner	Speed Center	SUI	Dallara GP2
110	Bianca Steiner	Top Speed	AUT	Dallara GP2
121	TBA	Top Speed		Dallara GP2
221	Bernd Herndlhofer	H&A Racing	AUT	Dallara GP2
321	Andreas Fiedler	Fiedler Racing	DEU	Dallara GP2
323	Armando Mangini	MM International	ITA	Dallara GP2
411	Karl-Heinz Becker	Becker Motorsport	DEU	Dallara WSbR
444	Johann Ledermair	Ledermair Motorsport	AUT	Dallara GP2
505	Walter Steding	Inter Europol Competition	DEU	Dallara GP2
555	Christian Eicke	Speed Center	DEU	Dallara GP2
565	Hans Laub	Speed Center	DEU	Dallara GP2
888	Florian Schnitzenbaumer	a	SUI	Dallara GP2

Time table: BOSS GP at the Leeb Rundstreckentrophy

Friday, 18 may 2018

9:30 am-9:55 am: Free practice 1
18:00-18:25: Free practice 2

Saturday, 19 may 2018

9:40 am-10:10 am: Qualifying
15:05-15:40: Race 1

Sunday, 20 may 2018

10:40-11:15: Race 2

The weather forecast predicts a mixed weekend of sunshine and rain

Free entry and open paddock
Friends of formula and touring car racing will certainly get their money’s worth at the Leeb Circuit Trophy: free entry on all three days, including a visit to the paddock. The vehicles of the BOSS GP are located in the garages with numbers 12 to 20, Andreas Fiedler (Dallara-GP2) pitched his tents in the paddock – at box number 18.

BOSS GP part of 2018 German Grand Prix weekend

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Ingo Gerstl in his STR1-F1 car in front of a packed crowd

The sensation is perfect: BOSS GP will be driving as support series at the German Formula 1 Grand Prix – from July 20 to 22, 2018 at the Hockenheimring.

Good news for all Formula 1 fans
The BOSS GP complements the programme of this summer’s German Grand Prix. This is the first time that Europe’s fastest racing series will take part in the support programme of the Formula 1 World Championship, which will celebrate its comeback in Germany in 2018 after a one-year break.

The hearty eight-cylinder sound of the GP2 racing cars, the no less exciting sounding World Series by Renault engines, the infernal, loud 12-cylinder Superleague Formula 1 engines and of course the breathtaking and incomparably high-revving ten-cylinder engines of Formula 1 “scream” together in the BOSS GP in the truest sense of the word. All together they offer action-packed, fast and vocal motorsport at its finest, which in this form is unparalleled in the global motorsport universe.

In addition to Formula 1 and BOSS GP, the Hockenheimring Grand Prix weekend also features Europe’s fastest cup series, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, and the young guns from ADAC Formula 4.

Formel-1-Autos, wie etwa jener Benetton aus dem Jahr 1997, fahren in der BOSS GP um die Wette.

Formula 1 cars like the 1997 Benetton, will be driven in race speed around the Hockenheimring circuit

Get tickets now
Tickets can be booked in the online ticket shop at www.hockenheimring.de or via the ticket hotline +49 6205 950 222. Children up to and including 6 years of age have free admission (no seat entitlement), children and young people under 16 years pay only 45 Euro (Sunday) and 50 Euro (weekend) on each seat, with the exception of the south grandstand.

BOSS GP calendar 2018:

20–22 April Hockenheim (DEU)
18–20 May Spielberg (AUT)
29 June–1 July Monza (ITA)
20–22 July Hockenheim (DEU)
17–19 August Assen (NED)
7–9 September Brünn (CZE)
12–14 October Le Castellet (FRA)

Die Sehnsucht der Fans nach Rennautos mit Speed und Sound ist groß, etwa beim BOSS-GP-Rennen in Assen

Fans love the speed and sound of Formula One’s V10 and V8 era