Tag: Peter Göllner

FORMULA class: Raghunathan shows fastest lap during first free practice

Mahaveer Raghunathan raced fastest lap time during first free practice of the race weekend in Brno 2017.

12 drivers had registered for the BOSS GP FORMULA class at the “Masaryk Racing Days” in Brno (CZ). Season races 10 and 11 will take place at the circuit in the southeast of Czechia. The first free practice was scheduled on Friday morning (7th of September) at 11:00 a.m. It was a smooth practice session under best conditions.

Both BOSS GP classes – OPEN and FORMULA class – went on track together for the practice session. Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) went on track first. With the exception of Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition), due to technical issues, all other FORMULA drivers followed the Austrian on track. Weather conditions in Brno are great: 17°, sunny and dry.

One red flag phase slowed drivers down after a couple of legs, when local hero Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing Team) spun off the track with her Dallara GP2. But finally drivers tested the circuit with Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) finally racing the fastest lap of the FORMULA grid on the 5.403 km long track with an 1:44,907 min with his Lola Auto GP.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer back on track in Brno 2017.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer back on track in Brno 2017.

Raghunathan, staying seven laps on track, was followed by Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) with a best lap time in 1:45,855 min. The German is back on track after not racing the races in Zolder (July) and Assen (August) and was showing a good performance during his nine laps on track during first free practice in Brno. Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) completed the trio of the fastest FORMULA drivers at the practice session with a best lap time of 1:47,561.

Johann Ledermair finished first free practice as third fastest driver in Brno 2017.

Johann Ledermair finished first free practice as third fastest driver in Brno 2017.

Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing), Peter Göllner (Speed Center), Henk de Boer (De Boer Manx), Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport), Christian Eicke (Speed Center) and Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing Team) completed the grid with their best lap times. Since time transponders of currently overall ranked second of the FORMULA class, Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport), as well as Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport), ranked fourth at the overall standings, didn’t work properly, results are not completed.

It can be assumed, that Walter Steding, not taking part in the first free practice session, will be on track for the second free practice, which starts at 4:00 p.m. and will run 25 minutes.

Results of first free practice of FORMULA class at “Masaryk Racing Days”:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) In Gap (s) Laps km/h
1 115 Mahaveer Raghunathan IND PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Dallara Lola 1:44,907 5 7 185,410
2 888 Florian Schnitzenbaumer GER Top Speed Dallara GP2 1:45,855 5 0,948 9 183,749
3 444 Johann Ledermair AUT Ledermair Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:47,561 3 2,654 3 180,835
4 321 Andreas Fiedler GER Fiedler Racing Dallara GP2 1:49,586 1 4,679 3 177,493
 5 101  Peter Göllner SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:50,574 6  5,667 8 175,908
 6 136  Henk de Boer NED De Boer Manx Dallara GP2  1:52,078  1  7,171  3  173,547
 7 411 Karl-Heinz Becker GER Becker Motorsport World Series by Nissan  1:52,299 8  7,392 8  173,205
 8 555 Christian Eicke SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:53,457 6  8,550 8 171,438
 9 222  Veronika Cicha CZ H&A Racing Team Dallara GP2 2:03,657 2  18,750 2 157,296
 10  323 Armando Mangini ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2
 11  999  Salvatore De Plano  ITA MM International Motorsport  Dallara GP2

 

MORE:

Picture gallery of Brno 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/brno-masaryk-racing-days-2/

OPEN class: First free practice in Brno 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-performes-best-at-first-free-practice-in-brno/

FORMULA class: Start list at “Masaryk Racing Days” in Brno 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-the-masaryk-racing-days-in-brno-cz-is-set/

OPEN class: Start list at “Masaryk Racing Days” in Brno 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-start-list-for-masaryk-racing-days-in-brno-cz-is-set/

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

Results first free practice Brno 2017, FORMULA class.

Results first free practice Brno 2017, FORMULA class.

08/09/2017

FORMULA class: Ledermair takes second P1 of the weekend – De Plano with P2 after incredible race

Podium of FORMULA class of race 2 in Assen 2017.

New day, new challenges. Race 2 of the “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen (NED) went more or less smooth in front of an awesome crowd of 94.500 spectators. Twelve drivers started in the BOSS GP FORMULA class. There were no crashes tough as on Saturday, despite early exits of Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing) and Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport).

First trouble occured already before race start. Ingo Gerstl (Team Top Speed, OPEN class), ranked on start position 14 after his early race exit on Saturday, was put on the pole position by a decision of race director and stewards due to safety reasons. “Actually I was surprised about that decision, made by the race management. I didn’t ask for, it was decided because of safety reasons”, Gerstl explained after the race, since there was some trouble about that decision anyway. Finally Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), initially set on pole position, started from position 2 of the start grid, followed by Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) and Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport).

Ledermair showed a strong performance, dominating the FORMULA grid as on Saturday again. “The car was brilliant, my team has done a great job – everthing worked out smooth!”, Ledermair was fine with his race after the podium ceremony. “I think I lost some time during the yellow flag phase, since there was a signifcant gap to the other cars before the yellow flag and no gap, when the yellow flags were gone.” Nevertheless the Austrian brougth his second P1 of the weekend home safely, with an gap of 11,673 sec in front of P2, Salvatore De Plano, and driving his fastest lap in 1:25,624 min.

The Italian had have some “tyre trouble” at the first race on Saturday. “Our race went perfect today. Tyres worked out great, race conditions were fine, it was just a perfect race for us, fantastico!”, De Plano smiled widely after the podium ceremony. He had driven his fastest lap in 1:26,726 and in fact sent Mahaveer Raghunathan on P3. The Indian finished with an significant gap of 18,516 seconds behind De Plano.

De Plano preparing for race 2 in Assen 2017.

De Plano preparing for race 2 in Assen 2017.

 

Marc Faggionato (Zig Zag), Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition), Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport), Peter Göllner (Speed Center), PETER (Ray-Ban), Christian Eicke (Speed Center) and Wolfgang Jordan (H&A Racing) finished on following positions. Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport) had to quit his race after lap 10 due to technical issues. Veronika Cicha spun off the track already in first lap. Peter Göllner had a spun during the start phase too, but managed well and was able to continue the race, as well as Wolfgang Jordan in lap 5.

These are the results of the FORMULA class at race 2 in Assen:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) In Total time Laps km/h
1 444 Johann Ledermair AUT Ledermair Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:25,624 3 26:41,624 18 184,30
2 999 Salvatore De Plano ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:26,726 2 26:53,130 18 182,97
3 115 Mahaveer Raghunathan IND PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Lola Auto GP 1:27,661 4 27:11,646 18 180,89
4 129 Marc Faggionato MC Team Zig Zag Dallara GP2 1:28,244 9 27:24,519 18 179,48
5 505 Walter Steding GER Inter Europol Competition Dallara GP2 1:33,302 13 26:41,110 17 174,10
6 323 Armando Mangini ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:33,010 3 27:14,320 17 170,57
7 101 Peter Göllner SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:30,698 12 27:24,096 17 169,55
8 111 ‘PETER’ FRA Team Ray Ban Dallara World Series by Renault 1:33,845 10 26:26,226 16 165,40
9 555 Christian Eicke SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:34,142 13 26:26,631 16 165,36
10 105 Wolfgang Jordan GER H&A Racing Dallara GP2 1:36,602 9 27:50,682 15 147,22
11 411 Karl-Heinz Becker GER Becker Motorsport Dallara World Series by Nissan 1:34,189 9 17:24,223 10 157,03
12 222 Veronika Cicha CZ H&A Racing Dallara GP2


So at the end of the race weekend in Assen, fifth stage of the BOSS GP championship 2017 overall, the total ranking of the FORMULA class hasn’t changed that much
: Mahaveer Raghunathan is keeping the lead of the overall ranking with now 213 points, followed by Salvatore De Plano with 199 points. Johann Ledermair follows sharply behind on third rank with now 197 points.

Since OPEN and FORMULA class have different classifications, but drive together at the same race, the whole start grid of 14 drivers started at the same race. Next stage of the 2017 BOSS GP championship season is Brno (CZ) on 9th/10th of September 2017.

MORE:

Picture gallery of Assen 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/assen-gamma-racing-days

OPEN class: Race 2 at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-back-on-p1-in-race-2

FORMULA class: Race 1 at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-ledermair-wins-race-and-p1

FORMULA class: Qualifying at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-qualifying-in-assen-ledermair-fastest-formula-driver

FORMULA class: Free practice at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-early-finish-after-a-crash-ledermair-back-on-track-and-top-of-the-field

FORMULA class: Start list at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-the-gamma-racing-days-in-assen-ned-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

06/08/2017

FORMULA class: Ledermair wins race and P1

Ledermair wins race and P1 in Assen 2017 at race 1.

After a free practice session, which ended with an horrifying crash of OPEN class driver Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) and a smooth Qualifying with Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) finishing as fastest driver of the FORMULA class, teams and spectators finally experienced quite a strange race at the end of the day at the “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen.

Race started with quite a long safety car phase. Wolfgang Jordan (H&A Racing) collided and crashed on the start/finish straight just when the race was started. As a result drivers had to stay behind the safety car for the next four laps. When the track was released, Johann Ledermair had the lead, kept the lead and finished as overall leader of complete race (both classes) as well as P1 of the FORMULA class. The Austrian performed his best lap in 1:25,655 min. “I’m very satisfied with our performance this weekend so far”, Ledermair explained after the race. “We managed to solve a technical problem, which improved the performance of the car significantly. I had a good feeling and good performance already during Qualifying, so I’m happy, that I managed to repeat this performance at the race. I love racing in Assen, it is always a highlight of the race calendar. I look forward to the second race on Sunday and hope for for a good performance again.”

Ledermair was followed by Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport), who finished the race on P2 and raced his best lap in 1:28,825. The Indian was overtaken by Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) directly after the start, but stepped back to position 2 of the grid in lap 5. “I’m fine with the result. Due to the long safety car phase in the beginning of the race, I wasn’t able to attack and push as I actually would have wanted to”, Raghunathan told us after the race.

 

Mahaveer Raghunathan before the start of race 1 in Assen 2017.

Mahaveer Raghunathan before the start of race 1 in Assen 2017.

First podium position this season claimed Marc Faggionato (Zig Zag), who finished the race on position 3. Not only at the FORMULA class, but in total as well. Faggionato performed his best lap in 1:31,966 min. He was followed by Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport), who was set back by a spun in lap 4 (from position 3 back to position 10). De Plano showed a great catch-up and finally finished on position 4, still managing to overtake OPEN class driver Wolfgang Jaksch during the last lap. So De Plano, current runner up of the overall FORMULA class ranking, missed his next podium of the season really close. The Italian performed his best lap in 1:30,761 – actually a top-3 time.

Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport), Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition), Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing), Peter Göllner (Speed Center), Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport), Christian Eicke (Speed Center) and ‘PETER’ (Ray-Ban) followed on the next positions.

 

Results of race 1 at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) In Total time Laps km/h
1 444 Johann Ledermair AUT Ledermair Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:25,655 8  21:18,537 10 128,25
2 115 Mahaveer Raghunathan IND PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Lola Auto GP 1:28,825 9 21:36,289 10 126,49
3 129 Marc Faggionato MC Zig Zag Dallara GP2 1:31,966 9 21:57,247 10 124,48
4 999 Salvatore De Plano ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:30,761 10 22:02,473 10 123,99
5 323 Armando Mangini ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:34,869 10 22:10,336 10 123,26
6 505 Walter Steding GER Inter Europol Competition Dallara GP2 1:34,175 10 22:10,910 10 123,20
7 222 Veronika Cicha CZ H&A Racing Dallara GP2 1:34,875 8 22:11,446 10 123,15
8 101 Peter Göllner SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:35,045 10 22:12,323 10 123,07
9 411 Karl-Heinz Becker GER Becker Motorsport Dallara World Series by Nissan 1:36,459 9 22:22,583 10 122,13
10 555 Christian Eicke SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:37,723 8 22:34,632 10 121,05
11 111 ‘PETER’ FRA Ray-Ban Dallara World Series by Renault 1:36,068 7 21:39,869 9 133,53
12 105 Wolfgang Jordan GER H&A Racing Dallara GP2 10:41,203 1  10:57,220 1 24,95

 

Since OPEN and FORMULA class have different classifications, but drive together in the same race, the whole start grid of 14 drivers will start at the same race on Sunday at race 2 again. It starts at 2:19 p.m (duration: 25 min).

This is the starting grid for race 2 at the “Gamma Racing Days”  in Assen 2017:

Start grid of race 2 in Assen 2017.

Start grid of race 2 in Assen 2017.

MORE:

Picture gallery of Assen 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/assen-gamma-racing-days

OPEN class: Race 1 at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-wolfgang-jaksch-winning-his-first-ever-p1-at-boss-gp

FORMULA class: Qualifying at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-qualifying-in-assen-ledermair-fastest-formula-driver

FORMULA class: Free practice at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-early-finish-after-a-crash-ledermair-back-on-track-and-top-of-the-field

FORMULA class: Start list at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-the-gamma-racing-days-in-assen-ned-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

05/08/2017

FORMULA class: Qualifying in Assen – Ledermair fastest FORMULA driver

Johann Ledermair on track in Assen 2017.

A start grid of twelve drivers is racing the FORMULA class at the “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen (NED) for season races 9 and 10. The “usual suspects” lead the field of the FORMULA drivers at Qualifying.

Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), loosing the overall leading position of the FORMULA class while absent in Zolder (BEL) in July a couple of weeks before, obviously is aiming for getting back to the top position of his class. He performed the fastest lap of the FORMULA class field at Qualifying, with 1:25,192 min in his fifth lap with his Dallara GP2, still improving his best lap time from the free practice session (1:25,829).

Ledermair was sharply followed by Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2), who performed his best lap in lap 4 with 1:26,731. A gap of only 0,375 min behind De Plano, Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) was finishing his best lap at Qualifying in 1:27,106 with his Lola Auto GP, improving his lap time from free practice significantly.

So it’s once more the trio of Ledermair, De Plano and Raghunathan leading the FORMULA field of the BOSS GP after Qualifying and starting from the front positions of the start grid.

 

Qualifying in Assen 2017.

 

They are followed by Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing), who showed a great Qualifying and finished her best lap in her Dallara GP2 with 1:32,604. Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2), Marc Faggionato (Zig Zag, Dallara GP2), Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competion, Dallara GP2), Peter Göllner (Speed Center, Dallara GP2), Wolfang Jordan (H&A Racing, Dallara GP2) took the next positions, as well as ‘PETER’ (Ray-Ban), who wasn’t lucky at the free practice with his Dallara World Series by Renault, but finished well at the Qualifying, and Christian Eicke (Speed Center, Dallara GP2).

Karl-Heinz Becker left Qualifying already at first lap, due to technical reasons.

 

These are the results of the Qualifying:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) In Gap Laps km/h
1 444 Johann Ledermair AUT Ledermair Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:25,192 5 6 192,48
2 999 Salvatore De Plano ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:26,731 4 1,539 5 189,07
3 115 Mahaveer Raghunathan IND PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Lola Auto GP 1:27,106 5  0,375 6 188,25
4 222 Veronika Cicha CZE H&A Racing Dallara GP2 1:32,604 5  5,498 6 177,08
5 323 Armando Mangini ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:32,920 4 0,316 6 176,47
6 129 Marc Faggionato MC Zig Zag Dallara GP2 1:33,555 4 0,635 6 175,28
7 505 Walter Steding GER Inter Europol Competition Dallara GP2 1:33,615 5  0,060 6 175,16
8 101 Peter Göllner SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:34,152 6 0,537 7 174,17
9 105 Wolfgang Jordan GER H&A Racing Dallara GP2 1:36,181 9 2,029 10 170,49
10 111 ‘PETER’ FRA Ray-Ban Dallara World Series by Renault 1:37,663 4 1,482 6 167,90
11 555 Christian Eicke SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:38,566  4  0,903 9 166,37
12 411 Karl-Heinz Becker GER Becker Motorsport Dallara World Series by Nissan

 

Since OPEN and FORMULA class have different classifications, but drive together at the same race, the whole start grid of 14 drivers will start at the same race. Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed, OPEN class) once more this season will start from pole position. He is followed by FORMULA class drivers Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) and Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport).

This is the starting grid for race 1 at the “Gamma Racing Days”  in Assen 2017:

Start grid of race 1 in Assen 2017.

MORE:

Picture gallery of Assen 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/assen-gamma-racing-days

FORMULA class: Free practice at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-early-finish-after-a-crash-ledermair-back-on-track-and-top-of-the-field

FORMULA class: Start list at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-the-gamma-racing-days-in-assen-ned-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

05/08/2017

FORMULA class: Early finish after a crash – Ledermair back on track and top of the field

Johann Ledermair on track in Assen 2017.

13 drivers had registered for the BOSS GP FORMULA class at the “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen (NED). Season races 9 and 10 will take place at the circuit in the northeast of the Netherlands. One free practice for the races was scheduled on Saturday (5th of August) at 9:31 a.m. It ended earlier than planned with an horrific crash by Klaas Zwart (OPEN class).

Both BOSS GP classes – OPEN and FORMULA class – went on track together for the practice session. Twelve drivers represented the FORMULA class. Henk de Boer (De Boer Manx) had to step back due to health issues already before the race weekend. Weather conditions were fine in Assen on Saturday morning: 18°, cloudy, but dry.

The practice session started slowly, due to two yellow flag phases in the beginning.  ‘PETER’ (Ray-Ban) spun of the track already in the first lap. Only minutes later, Wolfgang Jordan (H&A Racing Team) spun off the track as well. Then finally drivers tested the circuit at its best. Back on track after absence in Zolder (BEL) on 15th/16th of July was Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport). The Austrian was not only back on track, but also back on top, since he drove the fastest lap of the FORMULA class start grid at the free practice in 1:25,829 min with his Dallara GP2. As might be expected, Ledermair was followed by Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) in the Lola Auto GP with his best lap in 1:31,449. One can expect an exciting battle between Ledermair and Raghunathan on the track at the race, as we already have seen during the whole season.

 

Mahaveer Raghunathan on track in Assen 2017.

Mahaveer Raghunathan on track in Assen 2017.

 

The following drivers showed as well some neck-to-neck-laps, with some really close gaps: Marc Faggionato (Zig Zig), Christian Eicke and Peter Göllner (both Speed Center), Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition), Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing) as well as Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport). Meanwhile Wolfgang Jordan had to quit free practice early, after he spun off the track after five laps driven.

The free practice finally was cancelled after a horrifying crash of Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) of the OPEN class. There won’t be another training session. The Qualifying will start at 1:04 p.m.

These are the results of the free practice:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) In Gap Laps km/h
1 444 Johann Ledermair AUT Ledermair Motorsport Dallara GP2 1:25,829 7 8 191,05
2 115 Mahaveer Raghunathan IND PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Lola Auto GP 1:31,449 7  5,620 8 179,31
3 129 Marc Faggionato MC Zig Zag Dallara GP2 1:34,413 9  1,203 10 173,68
4 555 Christian Eicke SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:35,125 10  0,712 10 172,38
5 101 Peter Göllner SUI Speed Center Dallara GP2 1:35,488 10  0,363 10 171,73
6 505 Walter Steding GER Inter Europol Competition Dallara GP2 1:36,461 6  0,973 8 170,00
7 222 Veronika Cicha CZE H&A Racing Dallara GP2 1:37,373 8  0,912 8 168,40
8 411 Karl-Heinz Becker GER Becker Motorsport Dallara World Series by Nissan 1:38,735 10 1,362 10 166,08
9 105 Wolfgang Jordan GER H&A Racing Dallara GP2 1:51,573 5  12,838 5 146,97
10 111 ‘PETER’ FRA Team Ray Ban Dallara World Series by Renault 1 0,00

MORE:

Picture gallery of Assen 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/assen-gamma-racing-days

OPEN class: Free practice at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-free-practice-ends-with-a-horrific-crash-by-klaas-zwart

FORMULA class: Start list at “Gamma Racing Days” in Assen 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-the-gamma-racing-days-in-assen-ned-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

05/08/2017

Gerstl dominating again, van Kalmthout and Ledermair compete head-to-head

Podium race 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

Another heated race under French sun at Paul Ricard brought a clear winning Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed, OPEN class) with a head-to-head competition following on position 2 and 3 between the youngsters Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport, OPEN class) and Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport, FORMULA class). 

It was a clear start-finish-victory for Ingo Gerstl, who dominated the track also in the second race of the weekend in France. After winning the first race at Saturday, the Austrian repeated a successful performance on Sunday, racing his best lap in 1:46,605 min. “I’m happy with the race”, Gerstl recapped his performance. “Especially since I reached my goal, to improve the best lap compared to Saturdays race.”

Start of race 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

Start of race 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

 

The gap between Gerstl and the closest rivals on track, Rinus van Kalmthout (+ 1:00,865 min) and Johann Ledermair (+ 1:10,978 min) on position 2 and 3, was significant. “There was no chance against Ingo (Gerstl) today”, van Kalmthout showed respect to the winner. The both youngsters, Rinus 16 years old, Johann 25 years old, showed a decent battle. At the end best lap times were more than close, with a 1:50,616 min by van Kalmthout in his GP2 Evo Dallara and a 1:50,643 by Ledermair in his Dallara GP2. Quita a remarkable performance by the Austrian Ledermair, if you notice, that he competes in the FORMULA class, while van Kalmthout starts at the OPEN class. “It was a good race, tyre management went well again”, van Kalmthout was satisfied with his race. “Ingo was really quick, I had no chance, keeping up with him. Finally we got out the most of what was possible today, so I’m happy with the result”, the Dutch was satisfied with reaching the P2 again.

Johann Ledermair on track at Paul Ricard 2017.

Johann Ledermair on track at Paul Ricard 2017.

 

Meanwhile Johann Ledermair, finishing on grid position 3, making the P1 of the FORMULA class, was not pleased overall, but struggled with himself. “I’m totally not satisfied. The whole weekend was running a kind of weird. Initially I assumed tyre-problems due to their conditions after the race in Zandvoort. I was absolutely convinced, that the tyres caused some problems, we had to deal with. So we changed tyres, but I noticed immediately during the warm up lap, that something still is wrong. We checked everything and I got an okay by my chief mechanic. But I felt strong vibrations at the steering wheel during the race and took out some speed due to security reasons. Finally I just aimed to finish the race considering these circumstances. Most of all I’m angry with myself about hanging up on a tyre problem which turned out to be wrong”.

Finishing fourth was Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing Team, OPEN class) with his best lap in 1:56,507 min. As on Saturday Jaksch made it to the P3 of the OPEN class and was absolutely satisfied with his performance after some struggles at the race the day before: “Despite being on the same place, the race itself felt totally different for me. I’m absolutely satisfied and happy about the result and especially how it came. The car run smoothly, I got faster each round coming closer to the finish; to me that shows, each round strengthens the confidence in the car, which improves my lap times.”

Wolfgang Jaksch (l.) overtaking Mahaveer Raghunathan at Paul Ricard 2017.

Wolfgang Jaksch (l.) overtaking Mahaveer Raghunathan at Paul Ricard 2017.

 

Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) and Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) rounded the podium of the FORMULA class off, finishing on position 5 and 6. Got overtaken by Jaksch couple of laps before the finish, the gap between best lap times of the Italian (1:56,651 min) and the Indian (1:56,625 min) nevertheless was tight. “I totally didn’t expect to make it to the podium, so I am really really happy”, De Plano smiled widely. Having big issues on Saturdays race (“The car was terrible!”), De Plano changed his tyre management for Sundays race and was absolutely pleased: “The car run perfect, conditions were great, I loved the hot weather; it was a perfect race day for me.” Meanwhile P3 Mahaveer Raghunatan was happy, having reached a podium position as well, but struggled with the track layout. “The problem were the long straights. I lost a lot of time on these straights, actually I lost too much time there”, he summed up.

The remaing grid (all FORMULA class) either performed best lap times close to the podium drivers. David Moretti (Griffith’s, FORMULA class), getting overtaken by even seven drivers in the early stage of the race, started a great fight and made it from position 13 in round 2 up to position 7 while crossing the finishing line (best lap: 1:56,900 min). Wolfgang Jordan (8., H&A Racing, 1:59,784), Henk de Boer (9., De Boer Manx, 1:59,115) and Armando Mangini (10., MM International Motorsport, 1:58,225) also performed their best lap under two minutes. Christian Eicke (11., Speed Center, 2:01,327), Martin Kindler (12., Jenzer Motorsport, 2:02,586) and Bruno Navarrete (13., Griffith’s, 2:03,357) were close by.

Race 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

Race 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

 

Four out of the starting grid of 17 cars were not classified because of early exits, due to various technical problems. While Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed, FORMULA class) had problems with the gearbox of his GP2 Dallara in lap 11, Veronika Cicha (H&A Racing, FORMULA class) had to exit the race due to tyre-problems as well in lap 11. Already in lap 5 Patrick D’Aubreby (Griffith’s, OPEN class) exited the race with technical problems. Peter Göllner (Speed Center, FORMULA class) spun off the track in lap 4.

Results race 2 Paul Ricard 2017.

Results race 2 Paul Ricard 2017.

 

More:

Photo Gallery Paul Ricard 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/paul-ricard-gt-open-euroformula-open/

Race 1 Paul Ricard: bossgp.com/ingo-gerstl-leads-the-grid-chased-by-youngsters-rinus-van-kalmthout-and-johann-ledermair/

Qualifying report Paul Ricard: bossgp.com/qualifying-at-paul-ricard-with-some-strange-failures/

Practice day Paul Ricard: bossgp.com/practice-day-at-paul-ricard-results/

Qualifying at Paul Ricard with some strange failures

Qualifying at Paul Ricard 2017.

While Le Castellet and its Circuit Paul Ricard continously are heating up, BOSS GP teams went on track for Qualifying at Saturday morning at temperatures of about 27°. Under best conditions Qualifying brought some “strange failures”, as Harald Michel, Official Scrutineer of BOSS GP Championship, recapped the session.

At first the Top 8 drivers of Fridays practice day – Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed), Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport), Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport), Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed), Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing Team), David Moretti (Griffith’s) and Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) – entered the 5.842 km long track.

Wolfgang Jaksch during Qualifying at Paul Ricard 2017.

Wolfgang Jaksch during Qualifying at Paul Ricard 2017.

 

Two drivers left the Qualifying unplanned. While Wolfgang Jaksch with his Super Aguri SA06 failed due to a major driving error already early, Johan Ledermair in his GP 2 Dallara was stopped by a technical problem. “The car had an fatigue fracture”, Ledermair wasn’t pleased by his unexpected exit, “our team will work out on that. We hopefully will fix the problem until the race on the afternoon”. Nevertheless – with a 1:49.560 min he raced onto start position 3 for the race this afternoon before he had to exit. No technical problem, but a “clear driving error I made”, stopped Wolfgang Jaksch already in round 3. “I was delayed by Moretti in the first round. So I really had to push hard the following round, to improve my time. I managed to overtake him, but misjugded my braking phase afterwards; so I missed to take the turn properly and got stucked in the gravel trap”, Jaksch summed his performance up. “Luckily I made at least one counted lap”, he adds, starting with a 1:54.722 min lap-time on start position 6.

The two exits slowed down leading Ingo Gerstl, who raced onto pole position nevertheless. “If everything runs smoothly, I improve my time each round. So for the Qualifying I targeted a 1:40′ lap-time. Unfortunately we had to slow down twice during the Qualifying, which only gives us 8 minutes, to race a best time”, Gerstl summarized the Qualifying. “Of course I’m fine with starting from pole-position. But actually there could have been potential for a much better time on the track”, the current leader of the OPEN class made his point. He now is “looking forward to great race and especially the duel with Rinus van Kalmthout”. The 16 years old Dutch raced onto position 2 in his GP2 Evo Dallara.

Qualifying results Paul Ricard 2017.

Qualifying results Paul Ricard 2017.

 

In the second stage of the Qualifying the Top 9 until Top 18 entered the Paul Ricard track. Two more early exits by Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport) already in round 2 and Peter Göllner (Speed Center) in round 7 made it 4 out of 18 drivers quitting the Qualifying earlier than planned. “Yes, we had some strange failures at this Qualifying”, Scrutineer Michel summed it up. “But apart from this fact Qualifying went well, we are satisfied with the performance of the grid.”

Armando Mangini during Qualifying at Paul Ricard 2017.

Armando Mangini during Qualifying at Paul Ricard 2017.

 

Started in the second chapter of the Qualifying, Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport) with his GP 2 Dallara managed to improved time and position into to Top 8 field and moved forward in the starting grid; he will now start from position 8 in the afternoon.

The starting grid for season race 5 is set, and will be led by the “usual suspects”. The setup of Ingo Gerstl holding the pole position, followed by Rinus van Kalmthout on position 2, Johann Ledermair on third position promises an exciting top of the field.

Kick-off of the race is at 2:30 p.m. See and follow BOSS GPs Instagram channel for live updates and coverage.

Starting grid season race 5 at Paul Ricard 2017.

Starting grid season race 5 at Paul Ricard 2017.

More:

Practice day at Paul Ricard: bossgp.com/practice-day-at-paul-ricard-results/

Photo gallery from Paul Ricard 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/paul-ricard-gt-open-euroformula-open/

Practice day at Paul Ricard – Ingo Gerstl is back on track, and on top of the grid

Practice 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

Blue sky and 25° – Le Castellet obviously wants the best for BOSS GP. Fitting to great weather in southern France, the BOSS GP teams had an practice day, which mostly run according to the plan. 

“Both training sessions went well with the exception of some technical problems of the Dallara from Karl-Heinz Becker”, race-coordinator Christian Gänse was satisfied with the performance on practice day.

Fastest drivers on track – the “usual suspects”. First practice session was led by Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) in his Toro Rosso STR1 (OPEN class) with a best lap-time of 1:48.490 min on the 5.842 km long track. He was followed by teammate Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed), who got a best lap-time of 1:56.394 min in his Dallara (FORMULA class). Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) in his Lola (FORMULA class) sharply behind (1:57.001 min) and Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) in his Dallara (FORMULA class) as well sharply behind (1:58.614 min) also remained under the two-minutes-mark.

Detailed result of first practice session:

Results first practice session Paul Ricard 2017.

Results first practice session Paul Ricard 2017.

 

Best conditions on the track as well at the second practice of the day on early afternoon. While the grid was lead again by Ingo Gerstl, who improved his best lap up to 1:47.292 min, Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport, OPEN class) sneaked up and showed his best lap in 1:50.726 min, which made him the second best ranked driver of the session. Johann Ledermair, current leader of the FORMULA class overall ranking, improved his best lap significantly as well with 1:52.722 min and made it into the “Top 3” of the second practice session.

With Mahaveer Raghunathan (1:54.383 min), Florian Schnitzenbaumer (1:55.229 min), Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing Team, OPEN class, 1:56.343 min), David Moretti (Griffith’s, FORMULA class, 1:57.912 min), Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport, FORMULA class, 1:58.297 min) and Henk de Boer (De Boer Manx, FORMULA class, 1:59.297 min) nine drivers made it to a < 2 minutes lap. A promising kick-off for a fast race weekend in Le Castellet.

Detailed result of second practice session:

Results second practice session Paul Ricard 2017.

Results second practice session Paul Ricard 2017.

More:

Detailed results I: Results first practice session Paul Ricard 2017.

Detailed results II: Results second practice session Paul Ricard 2017.

Start list for races at Paul Ricard in Le Castellet is set

On Track in Zandvoort.

Third station of  the BOSS GP Championship season 2017 this weekend (10.-11./06.2017) is around the corner. The start list for the races in France is now set. 

Host for season races 5 and 6 is the “GT Open & Euroformula Open” at the French Circuit “Paul Ricard” in Le Castellet. Last time, BOSS GP teams were racing at this track, was at the “FFSA Historic Tour” in May 2015. So drivers and crews will be back on the track, which will host a “Grand Prix of France” at the Formula 1 in 2018, ten years after the last F1-race in France was held.

14 drivers will compete in the FORMULA class this weekend. Current leader of the class, Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport, picture), will be on track again, hunting for the next podiums, as well as the second of the ranking, Mahaveer Raghunathan (Coloni Motorsport), and the third, Salvatore de Plano (MM International Motorsport). Since Veronika Cicha will race at Paul Ricard again, the races will have a female participant again for the second time this season. Well, this is the grid for the FORMULA class in Le Castellet, Paul Ricard, 2017:

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make Type
101 Peter Göllner Speed Center SUI Dallara GP2
105 Wolfgang Jordan H&A Racing GER Dallara GP2
115 Mahaveer Raghunathan PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport IND Lola Auto GP
127 Bruno Navarrete Griffith’s FRA Dallara GP2
136 Henk de Boer De Boer Manx NED Dallara GP2
150 David Moretti Griffith’s FRA Dallara GP2
222 Veronika Cicha H&A Racing CZE Dallara GP2
323 Armando Mangini MM International Motorsport ITA Dallara GP2
411 Karl-Heinz Becker Becker Motorsport GER Dallara World Series by Nissan
430 Martin Kindler Jenzer Motorsport SUI Dallara World Series by Nissan
444 Johann Ledermair Ledermair Motorsport AUT Dallara GP2
555 Christian Eicke Speed Center SUI Dallara GP2
888 Florian Schnitzenbaumer Top Speed GER Dallara GP2
999 Salvatore De Plano MM International Motorsport ITA Dallara GP2

Reigning Champion and current leader of the OPEN class, Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed), will be back on track in Le Castellet as well as Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing Team), who didn’t race in Zandvoort either. Also Rinus van Kalmtouth (Mansell Motorsport), who made his BOSS GP debut in Zandvoort three weeks ago, will start at Paul Ricard. The French Patrick D’Aubreby (Griffith’s) will run his first race of the BOSS GP championship 2017 on his “home track”.

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make Type
1 Ingo Gerstl Top Speed AUT Toro Rosso STR1 F1
11 Rinus van Kalmthout Mansell Motorsport NED Dallara GP2 Evo
19 Patrick D’Aubreby Griffith’s FRA AGS JH23 F1
26 Wolfgang Jaksch F Xtreme Racing Team GER Super Aguri SA06 F1

 

BOSS GP will compete at seven different European venues in 2017, holding 14 races in total. Hockenheim in April and Zandvoort in May are done. Paul Picard (FRA) will set season races 5 and 6. Remaining tracks are Zolder (BEL), Assen (NED), Brno (CZE) and Imola (ITA).

More:

Find detailed statistics of current standings here: bossgp.com/standings/

All data about the last BOSS GP race at the Circuit Paul Ricard (05/2015) you find here: bossgp.com/race/historacing-tour-paul-ricard/

Find all informations about the Circuit “Paul Ricard” on this website: www.circuitpaulricard.com

Ledermair dominates second race in Zandvoort as well

Podium of season race 4 in Zandvoort 2017 and partner PIRELLI.

After a thrilling race on Saturday at the “Jumbo Race Festival” in Zandvoort race 4 of  the BOSS GP season 2017 on Sunday had some surprises too. The podium of the FORMULA class however after 14 laps was the same as the day before, Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) clearly dominating the grid, followed by Mahaveer Raghunathan (Coloni Motorsport) and Salvatore de Plano (MM International Motorsport). Unfortunately both drivers of the OPEN class, Marijn and Rinus van Kalmthout (both Mansell Motorsport) dropped out of the race early due to a crash and technical reasons.

While Johann Ledermair could defend his pole position in his Dallara GP2 into the first curve, the “Tarzanbocht”, against attacking Rinus van Kalmthout in a Dallara GP2 Evo, who had started from position 2, Marijn van Kalmthout had huge trouble. After his Benetton B197 F1 got hit Kalmthout lost one of his tyres at the start straight, what meant a much to early out for the local hero. Couple of laps under yellow flag and safety car phase were following for the grid, drivers even had to pass the pit lane again, since the straight lane was blocked by rescue operation for Kalmthouts Benetton. “It was not too easy, to avoid overheating of the engines and keeping the tyres on the neccessary temperatures”, Johann Ledermair explained the difficult conditions at the first phase of the race.

Already during the safety car phase Rinus van Kalmthouth, the only left driver of the OPEN class in the grid, had to turn back to the box too, due to technical problems with his Dallara GP2 Evo. So season race 4 turned out to an exclusively FORMULA class race.

 

Crashing on the start straight line directly after the start Marijn van Kalmthout unfortunately dropped out of the race early.

Crashing on the start straight line directly after the start Marijn van Kalmthout unfortunately dropped out of the race early.

 

When the safety car had left and the track finally was open for pure racing again, the “usual suspects” were competing for the podium. Ledermair kept the lead and grabbed P1, driving his best lap time in round 5 with 1:25.591 min. The Austrian was closely followed by Mahaveer Raghunathan, who showed his best lap time in round 10 with 1:27.675 min. The 18 years old Indian was happy with his performance and P2, despite he looked ahead to the next races (Paul Ricard Circuit/France, 10-11/06/2017) directly after the award ceremony. “The start of todays race was not that easy, but everything worked out well. Finally it was a tough race again, but I did my best. The goal was, to increase speed and improve the lap record from yesterdays race. That worked out well, so finally I’m happy with the performance this week and my overall results”, Raghunathan explained.

With a huge smile on his face Salvatore de Plano (MM International Motorsport) climbed onto the podium. After P3 on saturday he defended this position at race 2 and stressed out his great performance this weekend. “The track was a huge challenge to go for. I have never raced in Zandvoort before, so my focus on the track and its characteristics was immense”, de Plano told us after the race and started to rave about the track. “It is amazing, but you have to now the track very well, to have a good race. So I’m really happy with my result this weekend, since I could make it twice onto the podium and didn’t loose to many points in the championship. The car was perfect and I reached my personal goal, to come as close as possible to position 2.” As Raghunathan also de Plano wants to confirm his good shape on the track in Le Castellet at Paul Ricard in June.

 

Champagne in Zandvoort 2017 after season race 4.

Champagne in Zandvoort 2017 after season race 4.

 

The podium was followed by Marc Fagionatto (Zig-Zag) on position 4, Florian Schnitzenbaumer (5., Top Speed), Henk de Boer (6., De Boer Manx), Peter Göllner (7., Speed Center), Christian Eicke (8., Speed Center), PETER (9., Easy Formula) and Karl-Heinz Becker (10., Becker Motorsport). Becker just finished eleven laps, having technical issues in his last lap which forced him to finish the race. “We don’t know yet, what caused the problems. We have to analyse this issue”, Becker told after the race.

The results of season race 4 in Zandvoort 2017.

The results of season race 4 in Zandvoort 2017.

 

Meanwhile winning Ledermair was satisfied with his progess during the race: “After an challenging start I was able, to control the race and bring it home safely. There were some factors, I had to pay my attention especially during the safety car phase, but everything worked out well. So at the end, I’m very happy with that clear win.” Besides and optimum of a race weekend Ledermair and his team take some “homework” back to Austria, they will work on until the next race. “We collected lots of data this weekend, we have to analyze. Of course we wont sit back now, but continue our work and make any effort, to increase the speed further on”, the ambitious youngster is looking into the future.

Happy winner of race 3 and 4 at the race weekend in Zandvoort 2017.

Happy winner of race 3 and 4 at the race weekend in Zandvoort 2017.

Next station for the BOSS GP championship 2017 is set already in three weeks. Circuit Paul Ricard in France, Le Castellet, will be the host with its “GT OPEN & EUROFORMULA OPEN”.

MORE:

Photo gallery race weekend Zandvoort: bossgp.com/gallery/zandvoort-jumbo-racedagen

Report of first race in Zandvoort: bossgp.com/first-race-johann-ledermair-bringing-the-sensation-to-zandvoort

Report of Qualifying in Zandvoort: bossgp.com/qualifying-in-zandvoort-hell-of-laptimes-for-the-van-kalmthouts

Report of second free practice in Zandvoort: bossgp.com/second-free-practice-results-ledermair-and-raghunathan-step-up-the-speed

Report of first free practice in Zandvoort: bossgp.com/first-free-practice-marijn-van-kalmthout-shows-his-class

Detailed statistics of practices and qualifying: Results race 1 Zandvoort 2017.