Supercar Challenge, Zolder

Track action (Photo by Jurek Biegus)The 2015 Supercar Challenge arrived at the Belgian circuit of Zolder at the weekend and race one saw a resounding victory for the 2014 champion Roger Grouwels in his Dodge Viper.

Second place went to the Corvette of Nicolas Dierendonck and Jeffrey van Hooydonk, whilst Berry van Elk took third in the Mosler.

British interest came from the former Britcar stalwarts NGMsport who debuted their ever popular Mosler with its Spanish driver line up of Javier Morcillo and Manuel Cintrano. Backdraft Motorsport crossed The Channel with their Lamborghini Gallardo with Simon Atkinson at the wheel.

Both teams had their problems with the Mosler failing to complete a competitive qualifying lap because of an alternator failure whilst the Lamborghini had to have its gear box replaced in the 90 minutes between qualifying and race.

As a result the Mosler started race one in 10th place whilst the Lamborghini started from the back of the 20 car field however their fortunes were reversed in the race. Whilst running close with the leaders, Morcillo was forced into an early pit stop after picking up a puncture. The delay in getting back to the pits and the subsequent stop cost the NGMsport team 2 laps and a 15th place finish. Atkinson faired a little better and brought the Lamborgini home in 13th place and 4th in class.

Track action (Photo by Jurek Biegus) Track action (Photo by Jurek Biegus) Track action (Photo by Jurek Biegus) Track action (Photo by Jurek Biegus)

Race 2 on Sunday afternoon saw Morcillo in combative mood and starting from 14th place he was determined to make up for the previous days disappointment. Within a few laps the Spaniard was with the class 1 cars fighting for position. After the race he described the experience as the best race of his life and at the pit stop he brought the car in in 4th place. As other teams also took their stops it allowed Cintrano to return to the track in 2nd place. A top five finish looked to be on the cards until a broken driveshaft ended the Moslers race. Over in the Lamborghini Simon Atkinson had a better afternoon driving a solid solo race to take 7th overall and 2nd in class.

At the front Henry Zumbrink took a start to finish victory in the Volvo S60 V8 in front of the Corvette SR1 of Dierendonck and van Hooydonk whilst the Radical RXC of Henk Thuis rounded off the overall podium places.

The next race will be at Spa Francorchamps on June 7th and 8th. By Jurek Biegus.

 

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