Tag: Report

Report: Free Practice Brno

Posted on September 6, 2019 by - General

Christopher Höher followed by Alessandro Bracalente (both Dallara Mecachrome)

The Masaryk Racing Days kicked off with roaring engines.

Friday is the usual practice day – that means two 30-minute track sessions for the high-speed monsters of BOSS GP. The fastest driver on the first day of the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) in his 2006 Toro Rosso Formula 1 car. Gerstl set a superb time of 1:36,368 in his first fast lap of the day, just one second above last year’s lap record (1:35,155). A new track record is targeted but could be prevented by the forecast rainy weather tomorrow.

An Austrian was also fastest in the FORMULA category: Christopher Höher (AUT, Top Speed) is making his BOSS GP comeback this weekend. The 22-year-old is no unknown in racing, he already competed in the ADAC GT Masters and is multiple Austrian racing car champion. He has also left his mark with successes in the BOSS GP. In practice, Höher blasted a lap with 1:43.906 which was more than one and a half seconds faster than the second fastest Formula 2. For Bracalente, Fiedler & Co. he will be hard to crack this weekend. Höher also drives in memory of his recently passed away father. A special design on the Dallara Mecachrome is reminiscent in honour of the biggest supporter of his motorsport career.

Leader of the standings Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) nevertheless experienced a good training day, also because he, unlike his title opponent Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), remained without a spin. While Bracalente qualified for Q1, Ghiotto must qualify in Q2. Whether it is an advantage, or a disadvantage will be proven tomorrow in qualifying at 10 am.

Third fastest FORMULA driver in the free practice sessions was Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag). Last year’s winner in his art car will certainly be one of the promising candidates for a trophy this year as well. Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) rolled out to the start-finish line in the second practice session, nevertheless he also qualified for Q1 with the fourth fastest FORMULA time. Back in the BOSS GP is Florian Schnitzenbaumer (DEU, Top Speed). The 2018 FORMULA Champion is only occasionally at the start this year, with the sixth fastest time he proved that he would like to have a say about the podium places on Saturday and Sunday.

Most BOSS GP pilots used the test day on Thursday to prepare for the weekend. For Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Top Speed) the race weekend was over before it even began. Problems with the engine could not be solved on site. Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International) is also missing. He is recovering from an operation and supports his team mates on site. Still, tomorrow 15 motivated drivers go into the first race day. Qualifying starts at 10 am, followed by the first race at 2:50 pm.

Report: Race 2 Assen

Posted on July 21, 2019 by - General

After victory, Bracalente takes the lead in the FORMULA standings.

Yesterday a penalty dropped him back, today it was his day: Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) was able to win the 8th race of the season in the FORMULA class. At the start he defended his top position in contrast to yesterday. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, MM International) followed him throughout the race, but it was never enough to overtake him. The duel for the championship is getting tougher after this weekend: Bracalente is only nine points ahead of Ghiotto in four races to go.

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) came third in the FORMULA category. Yesterday a penalty was also his misfortune, today he landed deservedly on the podium. The top 3 in today’s race underline the current dominance of the Italians in this class. Best non-Italian was Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) in fourth place. A podium finish for the sonnyboy with Le Mans experience is only a matter of time.

Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International), winner of race 1, finished sixth today ahead of team-mate Armando Mangini. Andreas Fiedler started the race from the pit lane already lagging behind. As usual, he delivered a race to catch up, which brought him up to 8th place. Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) and Walter Steding (DEU, Inter Europol) fought further interesting duels. Eicke used a lapping by another car to pass Steding and secure 8th place.

OPEN category: Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) dominated both races in Assen. Hans Laub (DEU, Speed Center) was happy to finally be in race mode again. Both he and his Forti Formula 1 kept going and were rewarded with 2nd place. Third place on the podium went to “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban), who is now behind Gerstl in second place of the championship.

After the summer break the BOSS GP continues in Brno (6–8 September). On the Czech roller coaster a preliminary decision could be made in the OPEN class, in the FORMULA the decision in terms of championship will be made quite certainly at the final event in Imola (11th–13th October).

Report: Race 1 Assen

Posted on July 20, 2019 by - General

Action-packed 7th season race of the BOSS GP 2019 at the TT Circuit.

Let’s start with the sensation of today’s race day: Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International) surprisingly wins for the very first time a race in BOSS GP. Already in the qualifying a surprise was on the horizon, with class rank 4 he achieved his best qualifying result so far. In the race, unlike his immediate opponents, he remained free of mistakes and benefited from a 10-second penalty for Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center), who had led most of the race.

After the first start was aborted (a driver spun in the warm-up lap) the field was forced to stop on the start-finish straight. At the restart, not all engines started in time, so the crews were working on it even after the 30-second signal – which is not allowed according to the regulations. Bracalents got – like some of the other drivers – a time penalty added to the result.

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) took the lead in the FORMULA class after a good start of the race. Still in the first half pole setter Bracalente passed Ghiotto again. The subsequent duel between the two title favourites was a short one, however, as Ghiotto made a rare mistake and spun off the track. Ripoli finally won ahead of Bracalente and Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International). Mangini did it as so often, kept a cool head and crossed the finish line without any major troubles. This brings the veteran 3th place in the FORMULA ranking.

Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) and Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) dropped from the podium due to penalties after a strong race. Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) was within reach of the FORMULA podium for a long time, but in the final phase he suddenly lost a lot of speed and thus some positions (7th place).

OPEN podium in Race 1 at Assen: f.l. “Piter”, Gerstl and Laub

In the OPEN class for Formula 1 cars Ingo Gerstl controlled the race from lap 1 onwards in his Toro Rosso STR1 and extended the overall lead with his fifth victory of the season. Hans Laub (DEU, Speed Center) finished second in the Forti FG03. The driver and mechanic in one person skipped qualifying in the morning and started a great race to catch up from the last grid position and overtook numerous FORMULA racers in the race. “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) was happy about another trophy in his collection with 3rd place.

Tomorrow will be the 8th race of the season. At 9:45 a.m. the Big Open Single Seater line-up for a ten-minute warm-up session. The race itself starts at 11:50 a.m., directly before the DTM’s main race.

Report: Qualifying Assen

Posted on July 20, 2019 by - General

Assen bebt: BOSS GP auf Rundenrekordjagd im Qualifying.

Die Poleposition sicherte sich zum dritten Mal 2019 Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). Eine weitere Verbesserung seines persönlichen Rundenrekords von gestern (1:18.246) gelang ihm knapp nicht. Der Rekord-Champion wird versuchen, im Rennen mit seinem Toro Rosso STR1 nochmals nachzulegen.

Ebenfalls aus der ersten Startreihe geht der Beste der FORMULA-Klasse ins Rennen: Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) schnappte sich mit über einer Sekunde Vorsprung die „Pole“. Es war ebenfalls die bereits dritte FORMULA-Bestzeit des Italieners in der BOSS GP-Jubiläumssaison 2019.

Tabellenführer Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) gab sich keine Blöße und folgt in Reihe 2, zusammen mit dem immer konstanteren Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International). Das Italo-Quartett vervollständigt Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International) mit Rang 5. Ripoli fuhr damit sein bislang bestes BOSS GP-Qualifyingergebnis ein.

Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) bestätigte die aufsteigende Tendenz der letzten Rennen – er startet von Platz 6. Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Top Speed) hatte gestern mit technischen Problemen zu kämpfen und schaffte nur drei Runden in den zwei Trainings. Heute legte er 12 Runden hin und qualifizierte sich als Gesamt-Siebenter.

Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) ließ sich auch von einer weghängenden TV-Onboardkamera nicht irritieren und wurde Achter. In Reihe 5 stehen Armando Mangini und Walter Steding. Christian Eicke geht dahinter von 11, „Piter“ von 12 ins Rennen.

Ernüchternd verlief das Qualifying für den in Assen bekannt starken Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center). Er musste seinen GP2-Dallara nach nur drei Runden an der Seite parken. Gemeinsam mit Rookie Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) im F1-Benetton B197 geht er aus Reihe 7 ins 20-minütige Rennen heute Nachmittag.

Hans Laub (DEU, Speed Center) im 1996er-Forti ließ das Zeittraining aus. Das erste Rennen der BOSS GP im Rahmen der DTM in Assen beginnt heute Samstag um 17:10 Uhr. Laut aktuellem Wetterbericht sind Regenschauer zu erwarten. Die Pirelli Cinturato stehen jedenfalls parat.

Report: Qualifying Assen

Posted on July 20, 2019 by - 5, General

Assen trembles: BOSS GP on lap record chase in qualifying.

The pole position was secured for the third time in 2019 by Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). A further improvement of his personal lap record from yesterday (1:18.246) was just not possible. The record champion will try to improve in race one with his Toro Rosso STR1 again.

The best-in-class FORMULA driver will also start from the front row of the grid: Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) grabbed pole with an advantage of over a second. It was also the Italian’s third FORMULA best time in the 2019 BOSS GP anniversary season.

Championship leader Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) didn’t miss a beat and follows in row 2, along with ever more consistent Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International). Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International) completed the Italian quartet with 5th place, his best BOSS GP qualifying result so far.

Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) confirmed the improving pace of the last races – he starts from 6th place. Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Top Speed) had technical problems yesterday and only managed three laps in the two practice sessions. Today he did 12 laps and qualified as overall seventh.

Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) stayed focused even with a TV onboard camera hanging away and finished eighth. In row 5 are Armando Mangini and Walter Steding. Christian Eicke starts behind from 11, “Piter” from 12.

The qualifying session was disappointing for Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center), who is well known for his strong performance in Assen. He had to park his GP2 Dallara at the side after only three laps. Together with rookie Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) in the F1 Benetton B197, he will start the 20-minute race from row 7 this afternoon.

Hans Laub (DEU, Speed Center) in the 1996 Forti skipped the timed practice. The first race of the BOSS GP within the DTM in Assen starts today Saturday at 17:10 o’clock. According to the current weather forecast rain showers are to be expected. For sure the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyres are standing by in the pits.

Report Free Practice Assen

Posted on July 19, 2019 by - General

Here we go: Day 1 for BOSS GP in the Netherlands!

Two half-hour practice sessions were held on the first race day in the Netherlands. The driving time was used extensively by the 17 pilots, some of them completed over 35 laps. The BOSS GP pilots gathered experience for the remaining weekend, although according to the weather forecast it could rain tomorrow as opposed to today.

The fastest time was once again set by Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who even beat his own track record in the Toro Rosso STR1 with a time of 1:18.246. It was also the Austrian who, together with Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center), represented the BOSS GP at yesterday’s show run in the city centre of Assen. On the “Coulthard Road”, BOSS GP showed what 800 hp are capable of. Over 200 kph and “donuts” on public roads delighted the approximately 20,000 fans.

Back to the Friday practice sessions: Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) set the tone for the FORMULA cars. The leader of the standings underlined his favourite role for qualifying tomorrow morning (Saturday, 10:50 a.m.) with the best time in the class of FORMULA cars. Second fastest FORMULA driver today: Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) ahead of Bracalente, who is obviously trying to recover from Monza’s messed up weekend. Today’s fourth best time brings him into the top 5 and thus into Q1.

The biggest surprises of today’s practice day were Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) and Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center). Göllner finished fifth with 1:29.729 in the Free Practice 2, Haezebrouck sixth with 1:29.8. Also “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) was able to impress and could play a bigger role in the midfield this time than in previous races.

For BOSS GP this race weekend will kick-off second half of the season. After Hockenheim, Red Bull Ring and Monza the races 7 (Saturday, 17:10) and 8 (Sunday, 11:50) will take place in Assen. Tickets are still available on site.

Report: Qualifying Monza

Posted on June 15, 2019 by - General

Das schnellste BOSS GP-Zeittraining des Jahres im Rückblick.

Dritte Poleposition im dritten BOSS GP-Rennen 2019 für Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). Im V10 Toro Rosso STR1 war Gerstl wiederholt der schnellste Pilot im Qualifying. Damit gibt er heute Nachmittag um 16:00 Uhr das Tempo beim Start zum ersten der zwei Rennen vor.

Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) darf sich wieder einmal neben ihm aufstellen. Im Benetton B197 konnte er sich im Vergleich zum Qualifying 2018 um zwei Sekunden verbessern – damit ist die Jagd im Königlichen Park auf Dauerkonkurrent Gerstl eröffnet.

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) bestätigte die Leistungen vom Freitag: Mit 1:36.169 fuhr er die schnellste Rundenzeit aller Formel-2-Fahrer. Teamkollege und Cousin Sergio Ghiotto geht von Rang 5 aus als drittbester FORMULA-Fahrer ins Rennen.

Dazwischen klassierte sich Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center), der sich als Einziger im turbulenten Qualifying 2 noch in die Top-5 schieben konnte. Später im Qualifying hatte der FORMULA-Tabellenführende einen Unfall. Ausgangs der zweiten Schikane drehte er sich innen in die Barrieren. Fürs Rennen dürften Fahrer und Auto aber wieder fit gemacht werden.

Die italienische Dominanz beim Heimrennen in der FORMULA-Klasse untermauern Armando Mangini (Startplatz 6), Salvatore de Plano (Startplatz 7) und Gianluca Ripoli (Startplatz 8). Erster Nicht-Italiener in der FORMULA-Kategorie ist Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center). Der Franzose schließt bei seinem ersten Einsatz im neuen Team an die Ergebnisse von Hockenheim und Spielberg an.

Als Zehnter startet Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International). Walter Steding qualifizierte sich trotz eines Drehers ins Kiesbett als guter Elfter. Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) konnte nach dem Unfall im ersten Freien Training heute wieder dabei sein und dankte es seinem Team mit Rang 12. Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed) startet von 13, OPEN-Fahrer „Piter“ (FRA, Ray-Ban) im einzigen World-Series-Auto von 14.

Das Qualifying auslassen musste Pechvogel Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing), dessen Heckflügel gestern kaputtging. Er hofft, noch einen Ersatz bis zum Rennen aufzutreiben.

Um 16 Uhr startet heute Samstag Rennen 1 – bei bestem Wetter und freiem Eintritt.

Report: Qualifying Monza

Posted on June 15, 2019 by - General

The fastest BOSS GP qualifying of the year in review.

Third pole position in the third BOSS GP event 2019 for Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). In the V10 Toro Rosso STR1 Gerstl was again the fastest pilot in qualifying. This means he sets the pace for the start of the first of two races at 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) will line up next to him once again. In the Benetton B197 he was able to improve by two seconds compared to qualifying 2018 – this opens the chase for permanent rival Gerstl.

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) confirmed his performance of Friday: With 1:36.169 he drove the fastest lap time of all Formula 2 drivers. Teammate and cousin Sergio Ghiotto starts the race from 5th place as third best FORMULA driver.

In between will be Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center), who was the only one in the turbulent Qualifying 2 to make it into the top 5. Later in qualifying the FORMULA leader had an accident. At the end of the second chicane he spun to the inside and into the barriers. For the race driver and car should be made ready again.

The Italian dominance at their home race in the FORMULA class is underlined by Armando Mangini (grid position 6), Salvatore de Plano (grid position 7) and Gianluca Ripoli (grid position 8). First non-Italian in the FORMULA category is Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center). The Frenchman continues the good pace of Hockenheim and Spielberg in his first race with the new team.

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) starts in tenth. Walter Steding qualified as eleventh despite a spin into the gravel bed. Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) was able to participate today after his accident in the first free practice and thanked his team with rank 12. Thomas Jakoubek (AUT, Top Speed) will start from 13, OPEN driver “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban) in the only World Series car from 14.

Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) had to miss qualifying, because his rear wing broke yesterday. He hopes to find a spare wing before today’s first race, otherwise he must skip another race.

Race 1 starts today at 4 p.m. – with best weather and free entry.

Report: Free Practice Monza

Posted on June 14, 2019 by - General

Sergio Ghiotto, Dallara GP2

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.

Report: Freies Training Monza

Posted on June 14, 2019 by - General

Sergio Ghiotto, Dallara GP2

Der Freitag in Monza: Eingewöhnen an die Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahn im Königlichen Park.

Geschwindigkeiten jenseits der 300 km/h fordern Mensch und Maschine. Gut, dass es am Freitag zweimal 30 Minuten Training für die BOSS GP gab.

Schnellster Mann bei dieser High Speed Challenge war Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). Der amtierende OPEN-Champion setzte im Toro Rosso STR1 seine schnellste Zeit im zweiten Freien Training mit 1:29.929. Bei ähnlich guten Bedingungen ist morgen auf jeden Fall noch ein deutlicher Zeitensprung möglich.

Schon mit Abstand zu Gerstl, aber vor den Formel-2-Autos, platzierte sich Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom) im Benetton B197 mit der zweitschnellsten Zeit des Tages. Er wird wohl der einzige Fahrer sein, der Gerstl im Toro-Rosso-Formel-1 an diesem Wochenende fordern kann.

Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) war in beiden Trainings Drittschnellster. Der Sieger von Monza aus dem letzten Jahr ist damit der heißeste Kandidat für den Sieg in der FORMULA-Wertung.

Fünf weitere Italiener schafften es, eine Rundenzeit von 1:39 hinzulegen: Luca Martucci (MM International), Sergio Ghiotto (Scuderia Palladio), Armando Mangini (MM International), Salvatore de Plano (Top Speed), Alessandro Bracalente (Speed Center) sprechen morgen im Kampf um die Poleposition ebenso ein Wörtchen mit.

Knapp an der 1:40er-Marke scheiterte Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing). In Training 2 war Fiedler in einen Zwischenfall mit De Plano, Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center) und Martucci verwickelt, sowohl für Fiedler als auch Martucci war die Session danach frühzeitig beendet.

Eine Spitzenzeit setzte Christian Eicke (SUI, Speed Center) im ersten Training. Mit flachgestelltem Heckflügel und damit wenig Luftwiderstand gelang ihm in den Sektoren 1 und 3 die jeweils Zweitschnellste Zeit, nur geschlagen vom Formel 1 von Ingo Gerstl. Allerdings verunfallte Eicke nur wenig später ausgangs der Variante Ascari. Im Qualifying morgen kann er aber wieder teilnehmen.

16 Starter werden morgen am Qualifying um 9:45 Uhr teilnehmen. Die Top-5 von heute starten in Q1 (8 Minuten Fahrzeit), die restlichen Fahrer in Q2 (20 Minuten Fahrzeit). Der schnellste Fahrer aus den zwei kombinierten Sessions startet dann um 16:00 Uhr als Erster ins 25-minütige Rennen, dem fünften in dieser BOSS GP-Jubiläumssaison.