Tag: free practice

Report Free Practice Spielberg

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Keke Platzer - General

The BOSS GP with pictures for the ages? Impressive show run with Formula 1 cars and IndyCars on Friday.

Usually, the Red Bull Ring is home to the Formula 1 World Championship and MotoGP, but this weekend the BOSS GP Racing Series is a guest in Styria. After the six-week break since the Season Opening in Mugello, the track time was used extensively on Austria’s most beautiful racetrack and enough kilometres were recorded – the weather also played along on this Friday. It stayed dry all day, so all the drivers were able to test their cars extensively. Especially for the first-time starters, every metre on the 4.3-kilometre track around the iconic bull counted. Among others, Anton Werner (GER, Ryschka) drove a Chip Ganassi IndyCar from the mid-2000s today.

At the start of the second practice session, there was a memorable moment in BOSS GP’s history: there was a phalanx of Big Open Single Seaters on track that had not been seen for a long time, with the two Benetton B197s, the Sauber C30, a Jaguar R3, two Toro Rosso STR1s, Vettel’s winning STR3 car and two Ryschka IndyCars. During this showrun, impressive footage of man and machine was captured by a camera team and will soon be shown on the BOSS GP social media channels.

In total 22 drivers set a time today. Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) dominated both practice sessions in his 2006 Toro Rosso. Riccardo Ponzio (ITA, Adriatica Competiton) in the Jaguar R3 was second fastest in the combined times from the first and second practice session. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) was third fastest FORMULA driver today. Rounding up the top five were Simone Colombo and Luca Martucci (both ITA, MM International). These five have gained a bit of an advantage that way, they will have the track to themselves in Q1. Depending on the weather conditions, it will be decided tomorrow, Saturday, whether qualifying will start in two groups as usual or whether there will be a 30-minute session with all drivers. The chances of rain are increasing until tomorrow. In any case, there will be two races on Saturday (11:20 and 15:55).

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report Free Practice Mugello

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Keke Platzer - General

The first impressions of BOSS GP 2021.

The first day of a new season is always something very special, and this year was no exception: new teams, new drivers, new cars and new liveries showed up at the Mugello Circuit on Friday morning. The two half-hour free practice sessions were used extensively by all the drivers. Many of them completed their first kilometres after the long winter break and wanted to get their muscles and minds back in shape. In addition, the crews recorded a lot of data behind the pit wall and fine-tuned the set-up.

BOSS GP record holder Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) set the fastest time in his Toro Rosso STR1. As usual, he used FP1 to set the fastest lap of the day (1:28.861). BOSS GP rookie Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) surprised as fastest FORMULA driver in today’s practice sessions. The experienced kart driver has thus immediately joined the circle of favourites. Only slightly slower than Colombo was Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag), who also wants to fight for victory this weekend.

Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International), who last won a BOSS GP race in 2018, would like to join the party as well. The return to MM International and into a GP2 race car started promisingly anyway (class rank 3 in practice). Fourth and fifth fastest today were Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), the two dominators of last year. Both may not have reached their full potential in practice. Incidentally, Ghiotto completed the most kilometres of all the drivers with 27 laps counted.

BOSS GP rookie Gianluca de Lorenzi (SMR, GDL Racing) was also in the mix as he sets the fastest time for an Auto GP driver today. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was still struggling with the fine tuning. Last year’s race winner, however, can possibly hope for rain in the races. First qualifying of the year starts tomorrow at 10:05 a.m., before race 1 will get underway at 15:55 local time.

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report: Free Practice Spa

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Keke Platzer - 5, General

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.

Report: Free Practice Imola

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General, Uncategorized

With speeds over 190 miles per hour, Formula 1 and Formula 2 are back in Imola.

The BOSS GP Grande Final is under way: After a year’s interruption, Europe’s fastest racing series is back on track at the legendary Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. For most BOSS GP drivers, the former Formula 1 circuit is no unknown, although the limited practice time was used extensively by the drivers on Friday.

Fastest of the two combined practice sessions was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) with a time of 1:27.703. Gerstl also set the speed record on day 1 in his Toro Rosso powered by a V10 Cosworth engine with a speed of 310 km/h before braking for the first corner. Also in good shape is Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) in his Benetton Formula 1. After a two-race break, he set the fastest time in the first free practice on his favourite track. Because Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) returns this time too, we even see two light blue Benetton from 1997.

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) seems to be motivated by numerous fans this weekend. Today he was the fastest FORMULA pilot and thus also faster than the two title candidates Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). However, both qualified safely for Qualifying 1.

Otherwise this Friday didn’t bring any big surprises. Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) in the only Auto GP car lost his car on oil in the first practice session, Armando Mangini spun into the rail during FP2 and “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) had to get out of his smoking car. All three can participate tomorrow. The qualifying starts Saturday at 10:50 a.m., the 11th race of the season starts shortly before 4 p.m.

Report: Free Practice Monza

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

Friday in Monza: Getting used to the high-speed track in the Royal Park.

Speeds beyond 300 kph demand man and machine. It’s good that on Friday there were two 30-minute practice sessions for the BOSS GP drivers.

The fastest man in this high-speed challenge was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). The reigning OPEN champion set his fastest time (1:29.929) in the second free practice session in the afternoon. With similar good conditions tomorrow another big improvement in lap time is possible for Gerstl in his Toro Rosso STR1.

Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) finished with the second-fastest time of the day in the Benetton B197, by far behind Gerstl but in front of the Formula 2 cars. He will probably be the only driver who can challenge Gerstl this weekend.

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) was third fastest in both practice sessions. Last year’s winner at Monza is the hottest candidate for FORMULA victory.

Five other Italians managed to set a lap time of 1 minute 39 seconds: Luca Martucci (MM International), Sergio Ghiotto (Scuderia Palladio), Armando Mangini (MM International), Salvatore de Plano (Top Speed), Alessandro Bracalente (Speed Center) will also be playing a big role in tomorrow’s fight for pole position. Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) failed close to manage a 1:39 lap. In practice 2 Fiedler was involved in an incident with De Plano, Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center) and Martucci, both Fiedler and Martucci had an early end to the session.

Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) set a great time in the first practice session. With a flattened rear wing and therefore little drag, he managed the second fastest time in sectors 1 and 3, beaten only by Ingo Gerstl’s Formula 1. However, Eicke had an accident only a little later at the end of the Ascari variant. But he will be able to participate again in the fight for pole position on Saturday.

16 starters will take part in qualifying tomorrow at 9:45 am. Today’s top 5 start in Q1 (8 minutes), the remaining drivers in Q2 (20 minutes). The fastest driver from the two combined sessions will be the first to start the 25-minute race at 16:00, the fifth in this BOSS GP anniversary season 2019.

Pre-season Testing in Brno

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

From 3 to 5 April, the teams and drivers of the BOSS GP will have the opportunity to test at the Automotodrom in Brno.

Three weeks before the start of the season in Hockenheim, tests will be held at the BOSS GP circuit in Brno, Czech Republic. From Wednesday to Friday you can drive a total of 24 hours.

The race will take place in half-hour units, from 9 am to 6 pm. From 13 to 14 o’clock only the lunch break interrupts the driving time. One unit costs 60 Euro incl. VAT. You can set up in the paddock on 2 April from 15 o’clock onwards. Pits are available for 150 Euro incl. VAT per day.

Vehicles from other categories and classes will also take part, a maximum of 40 cars are allowed on the track at the same time.

The test day is organised by Maverick Rescue and the Automotodrom Brno. Interested parties can register by e-mail at www.maverickrescue.cz or by telephone at +420 777 679 389. Further information is available at maverick.rescue@seznam.cz

Photo: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Report: Freies Training Hockenheim F1

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

Die ersten Kilometer im Motodrom wurden abgespult: Die BOSS GP ist bereit für das größte Event ihrer Geschichte.

Wie immer ging es am Freitag für die Frontrunner der BOSS GP um die Qualifikation für Q1 im morgigen Qualifying (Start: 10:40 Uhr). Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) setzte mit 1:22.731 min im zweiten Training die Bestzeit des heutigen Tages. Eine Zeit unter 1 Minute 20 Sekunden wird vom Toro-Rosso-Fahrer morgen erwartet. Schon mit deutlichem Abstand, aber auch weniger Trainingszeit platzierte sich Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) dahinter. Der US-Amerikaner musste seinen Benetton F1 auf der Strecke abstellen. Ein Problem mit den Bremsyzlindern ließ die Vorderräder blockieren, Stratfords Benetton konnte nur mehr mit dem Kran abgeschleppt werden.

Johann Ledermair lieferte die Geschichte des Tages: Der Ex-Champion und Gewinner der beiden Rennen in Spielberg ersetzte kurzfristig den ausgefallenen Thomas Jakoubek bei Top Speed. Eigentlich war der Österreicher nur als Gast nach Hockenheim gekommen. Ledermair setzte aus dem Stand heraus gleich einmal die Bestzeit der FORMULA-Klasse. Die härtesten Gegner für Ledermair kommen aus demselben Team: Bernd Herndlhofer, mit nur einem Zehntel Rückstand auf Ledermair kann man für den Rest des Wochenendes einen spannenden Kampf der ehrgeizigen Österreicher erwarten.

Tabellenführer Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) platzierte sich auf Rang 3. Schon im April war der Deutsche in Hockenheim erfolgreich. Im zweiten Training rollte er frühzeitig aus – ein Schicksal, dass er mit Johann Ledermair und Bianca Steiner teilt. Gerstl, Stratford, Ledermair, Herndlhofer, Schnitzenbaumer – diese Fünf dürfen morgen im Qualifying als erstes auf die Bahn, und haben damit eine freie Strecke zur Verfügung. Die restlichen 14 müssen zehn Minuten später in den Verkehr.

Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing), zuletzt Sieger in Monza, kam im ersten Training gut zurecht und probierte unterschiedliche Linien. Im zweiten Training drehte er sich schon in den ersten Runden mit Highspeed von der Bahn – Auto und Fahrer blieben dabei unbeschädigt. Der vierte Starter in der Topklasse ist Hans Laub (Speed Center). Von FP1 zu FP2 steigerte er sich um mehr als fünf Sekunden. Der Anschluss an die weiteren OPEN-Fahrer ist morgen durchaus möglich.

Unauffällig, aber wieder konstant gut unterwegs war Armando Mangini (MM International). Der Italiener geht beflügelt vom Heimsieg in Monza ins Formel-1-Wochenende. Teamkollege Luca Martucci hat sich als Neunter des heutigen Tages gut in die BOSS GP eingelebt. Der Debütant startet sonst in der italienischen Formel 3; bei der GP2-Premiere war er mehr als ordentlich unterwegs.

Bester FORMULA-Pilot aus dem Team Speed Center war Peter Göllner auf Rang 10. Roy Glaser beim Comeback und Christian Eicke klagten über die Roten Flaggen, die einiges an Trainingszeit stiehlten. U.a. kollidierte Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport) mit Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition). Beckers Bolide wurde an der Aufhängung beschädigt, für den Nachmittag konnte die Beschädigung aber repariert werden. Keine Zeit schaffte „Piter“, der wieder von technischen Problemen geplagt wurde.

Zeitplan für morgen, den 21. Juli 2018:
10:40–11:10: Qualifying
18:00–18:25: Rennen 1

Fotos: Daniel Glaser

Report: Free Practice Hockenheim F1

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

The first kilometres in the Motodrom are completed: The BOSS GP is ready for the biggest event in its history.

As always, Friday was about qualification for Q1 in tomorrow’s qualifying (start: 10:40 a.m.) session for the BOSS GP front runners . Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) set today’s best time with 1:22.731 min in the second practice session. A time under 1 minute 20 seconds is expected from the Toro Rosso driver tomorrow. Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) was clearly behind, but also had less training time. The American had to park his Benetton F1 on the track. A problem with the brake cylinders caused the front wheels to lock, Stratford’s Benetton could only be towed by crane.

Johann Ledermair made the story of the day: The former champion and winner of the double in Spielberg replaced the absent Thomas Jakoubek at Top Speed. Actually, the Austrian had only come to Hockenheim as a guest. Ledermair set the best time in the FORMULA class from a standing start. The toughest opponents for Ledermair come from the same team: Bernd Herndlhofer was only a tenth slower than Ledermair. The ambitious Austrians will provide us an exciting fight for the rest of the weekend.

Championship leader Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) placed 3rd, and the German was already successful at Hockenheim in April. In the second practice he rolled out early – a fate he shares with Johann Ledermair and Bianca Steiner. Gerstl, Stratford, Ledermair, Herndlhofer, Schnitzenbaumer – these five will be the first to get on the track tomorrow in qualifying and thus have an open track at their disposal. The remaining 14 drivers must go into traffic ten minutes later.

Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing), last winner in Monza, got along well in the first training and tried different lines. In the second practice session he spun off the track at high speed already in the first laps – car and driver remained undamaged. The fourth starter in the top class is Hans Laub (Speed Center). From FP1 to FP2 he improved by more than five seconds. The link-up to the other OPEN drivers will be possible tomorrow.

Armando Mangini (MM International) was inconspicuous, but again consistently well on the way. The Italian enters the Formula 1 weekend exhilarated by his home win at Monza. Team mate Luca Martucci has settled in well to the BOSS GP as the ninth of today. The debutant usually starts in Italian Formula 3; at the GP2 premiere he was more than properly on the road.

Best FORMULA pilot from Team Speed Center was Peter Göllner in 10th place, Roy Glaser at his comeback and Christian Eicke complained about the Red Flags, which stolen a lot of track time. Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport) and Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition) collided in the first practice session. Becker’s bolide was damaged at the suspension, but for the afternoon the damage was repaired. The race control blamed Steding for the incident. ‘Piter’, who was again bothered by technical problems, did not manage to set a time.

Schedule for tomorrow, July, 21st 2018:
10:40–11:10: qualifying
18:00–18:25: race 1

Pictures: Daniel Glaser

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