Tag: Salzburg

Season 2023 & Champions Night

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Stieger - General

BOSS GP 2023: 5 countries – 7 events – 14 races – 4 classes – 20 teams – 40 drivers – 11 nations.

This year’s Champions Night of the BOSS GP Racing Series took place on Saturday, November 25, 2023. The participants in Europe’s fastest racing series met in the wonderful ambience of the M23 restaurant on Mönchsberg, with a great view over the city of Salzburg. In the 29th year of the BOSS series, the races were held over seven weekends in five European countries. Twenty participating teams fielded their cars in four classes and sent a total of 40 drivers from 11 nations to the events.

In the BOSS GP F1 Class, the class of pure-bred Formula 1 vehicles, the Austrian Ingo Gerstl won again with his Toro Rosso STR1 Cosworth from Team Top-Speed. It is the Salzburg native’s eighth overall success, making him the sole record winner in the list of successes in the BOSS GP series. The world-famous artist and sculptor Jos Pirkner, guest of honor of the evening at Mönchsberg was the creator of the legendary design of the Toro Rosso Formula 1 racing car, presented Ingo Gerstl with the trophy for the BOSS GP overall victory. The German Ulf Ehninger came second in the Formula 1 class with his Benetton B197-F1 from ESBA-Racing ahead of the Frenchman Didier Sirgue from LRS Racing in the Jaguar R2-F1.

The BOSS GP OPEN Class was won by Antonio Pizzonia from Brazil. The former Williams and Jaguar Formula 1 driver was successful in a Dallara World Series V8-T12 from the Austrian team HS Engineering supported by ZELE Racing. This means that the lovable Brazilian was not only always in the slipstream of Ingo Gerstl’s Toro Rosso, but also at the top of the podium 13 times in the 14 races in the Open Class. Second place went to the always good-humored Irishman Paul O’Connell, whose Dallara NME World Series was also performed by HS Engineering / ZELE Racing.

The BOSS GP FORMULA Class was the most heavily populated in terms of numbers and the Dallara-Mecachrome 4.0 V8 GP2 cars dominated again. A total of 29 drivers appears in the points rankings of the FORMULA Class, with the first three places going to Italy. Particularly noteworthy was the year-long duel at the top between the eventual winner Simone Colombo from MM International and Marco Ghiotto from Scuderia Palladio / Team Nardi Compressori. The fights between this two drivers were tough, but always very fair. Several times only a few centimeters separated the two at the finish line. Cecco Malavasi, also from Scuderia Palladio, took third place overall in the FORMULA Class ahead of the best German driver, Andreas Fiedler from Fiedler Racing / Team Leonhart, who missed the podium in the overall standings by just one point. Also very strong in this FORMULA Class was Marc Faggionato from Monaco in a car from the Italian team MM International. He even achieved a class win in Paul Ricard at the beginning of the season and then made it to the podium several times throughout the year. Also worth noting is the Austrian Roland Rupprechter, who, as a newcomer to the BOSS GP series, appears ninth out of 29 drivers in the FORMULA Class points rankings.

The victory in the BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS Class goes to Henry Clausnitzer from Germany from WF Racing on a Tatuus World Series V6. The Austrian Stefan Eisinger-Sewald from Red Rose Racing, who always drove with full commitment, came with his beautiful Ralt RT23-F3000 on second in the class for racing cars with lower displacement. The Italian Walter Colacino / W. Colacino Racing came third in the SUPER LIGHTS on a Lola T96/50-F3000.

Next year, in 2024, the BOSS series will celebrate 30 years since its founding by Roger Cowman and his friends in Great Britain. There are six race weekends in the calendar for this anniversary season in 2024, plus two dates on which F1 show runs will take place.

Full results 2023 BOSS GP Racing Series – all classes
Photos 2023 CHAMPIONS NIGHT

Report: SMW MEDIA
Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

„Next step: Formula 2“

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Keke Platzer - 5, General

After four class wins in a row, SUPER LIGHTS rookie Alexander Geier (16, from Salzburg) tells us in an interview about his career and his goals in motorsport.

ALEXANDER GEIER: “I started with a Formula König when I was eleven, we drove a lot with it. Then came a Formula Renault 2.0 built in 2002, with a sequential gearbox. Then, at 13, we bought a new Formula Renault, already with pedalshift. I raced it in the Histo Cup Austria until last year. Then Ingo Gerstl (Team Top Speed) gave me the chance to race in the BOSS GP Racing Series. For the next step, we bought the Tatuus World Series by Renault 3.5, which we now race in.”

What skills does a driver need to be able to drive such a bolide?

GEIER: “Basically, anyone can drive it. The brakes are only applied on the left, which is difficult for many people. Also, the clutch is on the steering wheel, driving away is difficult, but steering the car itself is doable with a bit of practice.”

What makes the BOSS GP Racing Series special for you?

GEIER: “Fast cars, the races – just everything. It’s quite different from anything I’ve driven before. Definitely more professional! The driving level of the series is also much higher than is often assumed. Of course, in some duels you do have to hold back because the cars are a bit older and there are often few spare parts. But that’s all too understandable because of the costs.”

Most recently in Brno, Geier won both races in the SUPER LIGHTS class and even chased the FORMULA drivers in front of him

You are on the events with your own team. How is that made up?

GEIER: “In the past it was just my dad and me, we also do our own wrenching at home in the garage. Now there are always three of us on the road. Willi is a good friend of my father and now part of our team, he likes racing too.”

What are your big goals for the future?

GEIER: “The next step should come in 2023. We want to start with a Formula 2. We are training for that now and looking for sponsors. It’s almost impossible to pay for that ourselves, so we’re dependent on help here.”

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Nacht der Sieger

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

BOSS GP-Reifenlieferant Pirelli und Champagner-Partner Cuvee Sensorium haben zur BOSS GP-Preisverleihung 2019 in die österreichischen Alpen geladen.

Die Jubiläumssaison von BOSS GP endete mit einem schillernden Fest, bei dem Teams und Freunde von Europas schnellster Rennserie das Jahr Revue passieren ließen. In diesem Jahr, dem 25. von BOSS GP, fand die Zeremonie in Maria Alm nahe Salzburg statt.

Moderner Schuppen mit urigem Hüttencharme, das ist die Tom Almhütte in Maria Alm

Mit eigens dekorierten BOSS GP-Gondeln ging’s für die Gäste hinauf zu Toms Almhütte auf 1166 Meter Seehöhe. Neben exzellentem Champagner von BOSS GP-Partner Cuvee Sensorium wurde auch exzellente österreichische Küche geboten. Nach Kasnockn, Braten und Kaiserschmarrn wurden die drei Besten aus den beiden Wertungen OPEN und FORMULA geehrt. Überreicht wurden die Pokale von Stargast und Elvis Tribute Artist Rusty.

Thomas Hummer (am Bild) von Pirelli Österreich führt gemeinsam mit Joi Regenstein von Cuvee Sensorium durch den Abend

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) aus Österreich bekam zum fünften Mal den Meisterpokal für den Gewinn der offenen Klasse überreicht. Eine Ehrungspremiere war’s für den Franzosen „Piter“ (Ray-Ban), der in diesem Jahr nicht nur mit seinen Tanzkünsten bei der Zeremonie glänzte, sondern auch mit Platz 2 in der OPEN-Wertung.

OPEN-Meister Gerstl bekommt wie alle anderen Sieger eine speziell kreierte Champagner-Flasche in der BOSS GP-Edition von Cuvee Sensorium

Der strahlende Champion der FORMULA-Kategorie heißt Marco Ghiotto (ITA), betreut von der Scuderia Palladio. In einem über die ganze Saison andauernden Duell mit Landsmann Alessandro Bracalente (Speed Center) setzte er sich letztlich knapp durch. Ghiotto ließ anklingen, im kommenden Jahr weitere Fahrer in die Serie zu locken. Den Pokal für Rang 3 bekam Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) überreicht, der mit seinem ganzen Team zur Feier kam und ein für ihn sehr erfolgreiches Jahr ausklingen ließ.

Die besten Bilder des Jahres gibt’s für die BOSS GP-Fahrer auf Glas

Überdies bekamen die Meister Gerstl und Ghiotto maßgefertigte Carbon-Helme von Bell Helmets. Aber auch alle anderen Fahrer durften etwas mit nach Hause nehmen: Von jedem Piloten wurde das beste Foto des Jahres auf Glas gedruckt, ausgestellt und später übergeben.

Die neue Saison startet am 28. März 2020 in Mugello. Details zum weiteren Terminkalender werden in Kürze auf der Webseite veröffentlicht.

Night of champions

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Keke Platzer - General

BOSS GP tyre supplier Pirelli and champagne partner Cuvee Sensorium have invited to the 2019 BOSS GP awards ceremony in the Austrian Alps.

The anniversary season of BOSS GP ended with a festive event where teams and friends from Europe’s fastest racing series celebrated the 25th year of BOSS GP. This year, the prize giving ceremony took place in Maria Alm near Salzburg.

Modern architecture meets rustic alpine charm – that’s Tom Almhütte in Maria Alm

With specially decorated BOSS GP gondolas the guests were taken up to Toms Almhütte at 1166 metres above sea level. In addition to excellent champagne from BOSS GP partner Cuvee Sensorium, excellent Austrian cuisine was offered. After traditional cheese noodles, roast and Kaiserschmarrn, the three best from the two categories OPEN and FORMULA were honoured. The trophies were handed over by star guest and Elvis Tribute artist Rusty.

Thomas Hummer (on the picture) from Pirelli Austria presents the show together with Joi Regenstein from Cuvee Sensorium

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) from Austria received for the fifth time the champions trophy for winning the OPEN class. For the Frenchman “Piter” (Ray-Ban) it was a premiere at the award ceremony. This year he not only performed brilliantly on the dancefloor, he also took second place in OPEN standings.

OPEN champion Gerstl, like all other winners, gets a specially created champagne bottle in the BOSS GP edition of Cuvee Sensorium

Proud champion of the FORMULA category is Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). In a season-long duel with fellow countryman Alessandro Bracalente (Speed Center) he finally won by a narrow margin. Ghiotto announced that he will bring more drivers into the series next year. Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) was presented with the trophy for third place.

The best pictures of the year printed on glass for all BOSS GP drivers

Furthermore, the champions Gerstl and Ghiotto received custom-made carbon helmets from Bell. All other BOSS GP drivers got a very special present too: The best photo of the year from each pilot was printed on glass, shown during the evening and handed over later.

The new season starts on March 28, 2020 in Mugello. Details on the further schedule will be published soon on bossgp.com

Neues Spiel, neue Regeln

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

The new man of the rules: Rainer Werner become BOSS GPs first permanent race director

Mit dem Österreicher Rainer Werner hat die BOSS GP ab sofort einen permanenten Rennleiter, der viel Erfahrung mitbringt und Sicherheit an erste Stelle stellt.

Der Salzburger Rainer Werner ist seit vier Jahrzehnten als Rennleiter und Sportkommissar im Einsatz. Über 200 Events begleitete er in den unterschiedlichen Kategorien Auto, Motorrad und Rallye. Werner wird 2018 bei allen Rennen der BOSS GP als Rennleiter vor Ort sein. Damit wird sichergestellt, dass die sportlichen Regularien bei jeder Veranstaltung gleich angewandt werden – die Fahrer können sich somit auf die einheitliche Auslegung des Regelwerks einstellen.

Big Brother
Werners Arbeitsplatz ist in erster Linie die Rennleitung, dort kann er mittels Videokameras die komplette Rennstrecke einsehen. Zu den Aufgaben der Rennleitung zählen unter anderem die Steuerung der Ampeln, die Koordination der Streckenposten, der Einsatz des Safety-Cars und die erste Bewertung von Kollisionen und Regelverstößen. Über verhängte Strafen entscheiden in der Regel im Anschluss unabhängige Rennkommissare, die strittige Aktionen im Detail analysieren und bewerten.

Race Director Rainer Werner in discussion with the drivers Bernd Herndlhofer and Peter Göllner

v.l. Renndirektor Rainer Werner mit den Fahrern Bernd Herndlhofer und Peter Göllner

Klipp und Klar
Zwischen den Sessions ist der neue Rennleiter für die Teams an einem zentralen Ort im Fahrerlager zugänglich. „Eine klare Linie, von Beginn an“, so Werner, soll sicherstellen, dass die Regeln eingehalten werden. Sicherheit ist die oberste Devise, Überholen unter gelber Flagge etwa gefährde Sicherheitspersonal und würde sofort geahndet. Entscheidungen fällt Werner transparent, eine gewisse Distanz zu Fahrern gehöre zum Job: „Während den Rennen sehe ich nur die Startnummern, Namen sind dann egal.“

Race Director Rainer Werner with drivers, teams and organisation at the drivers briefing in Hockenheim

Fahrerbesprechung Freitagmorgen in Hockenheim

Weitere Regeländerungen in aller Kürze:

Erlaubt sind nur Rennreifen von Pirelli. Der offizielle Reifenlieferant wird die Autos der BOSS GP bei jedem Rennen beliefern und für die Montage zur Verfügung stehen.
Die Teilnahme an der Fahrerbesprechung ist für alle Fahrer und Teamchefs verpflichtend. Alle Teamchefs erhalten bei jeder Veranstaltung ein Funkgerät für die Kommunikation mit dem Rennleiter.
In der Boxenstraße gilt eine Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung von 60 km/h, Überholen in der Boxengasse ist verboten.
Bei einem Stopp in der Boxenstraße müssen sich die Fahrer in einem 45-Grad-Winkel zur Boxenausfahrt in der Working Lane platzieren. Das Befahren der Boxenstraße auf der „Arbeitsspur“ ist nicht gestattet.
Bei einem Rennabbruch mittels Roter Flagge fahren alle Teilnehmer in langsamer Fahrt in die Boxenstraße auf ihren Standplatz, es gilt Überholverbot. Nach Erreichen des Standplatzes und Abstellen des Motors sind Arbeiten am Fahrzeug erlaubt – Nachtanken ist allerdings verboten.

New game, new rules

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Keke Platzer - General

With Rainer Werner from Austria, the BOSS GP now has a permanent race director who brings a lot of experience and puts safety first.

Rainer Werner has been working as race director and steward for four decades. He supervised over 200 events in the different categories car, motorcycle and rally. Werner will be on site as race director at all BOSS GP races in 2018. This ensures that the sporting regulations are applied equally at every event – drivers can thus adapt to a consistent interpretation of the regulations.

Big Brother
Werner’s workplace is first and foremost the race control, where he can view the entire race track by video cameras. The tasks of the race control include controlling the traffic lights, coordinating the marshals, using the safety car and the initial assessment of collisions and violations of the rules. As a rule, independent race commissioners who analyse and evaluate disputed actions in detail decide on penalties imposed.

f.l. race director Rainer Werner in discussion with the drivers Bernd Herndlhofer and Peter Göllner

Clip and Clear
Between sessions, the new race director is accessible to the teams at a central location in the paddock. “A clear line right from the start,” says Werner, should ensure that the rules are observed. Safety is the top priority, overtaking under a yellow flag is dangerous for security personnel and would be punished immediately. Werner makes decisions transparently, a certain distance to drivers is part of the job: “During the races I only see the start numbers, names don’t matter.”

Drivers Briefing Friday morning at Hockenheimring 2018

Further rule changes:

Only Pirelli racing tyres are permitted. The official tyre supplier will supply the BOSS GP cars at each race and will be available for assembly.
Participation in the driver briefing is mandatory for all drivers and team principals. All crew chiefs receive a radio for communication with the race director at each event.
A speed limit of 60 km/h applies in the pit lane, overtaking in the pit lane is prohibited.
When stopping in the pit lane, the drivers must place themselves in the working lane at a 45-degree angle to the pit lane exit. Driving on the pit lane in the working lane is not permitted.
If the race is aborted by means of the red flag, all participants drive slowly into the pit lane to their position, overtaking is prohibited. After reaching the parking position and switching off the engine work on the vehicle is permitted – however refuelling is forbidden.