IMOLA - 2014 European Le Mans Series




IMOLA - 2014 European Le Mans Series


Ciao Enrico, domenica scorsa 18 maggio 2014 si è svolta sul circuito Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola la seconda prova del Campionato Europeo Le Mans Series 2014. Tre le categorie in gara, i prototipi della LMP2, le GTE e le GTC. La gara si è svolta in condizioni climeatiche ideali e il pubblico è stato numeroso, oltre le aspettative. La gara è stata piuttosto avvincente, soprattutto per la Classe GTE nella quale partecipavano Ferrari, Porsche e Aston Martin. Gara entusiasmente quella della Classe GTE, che ha visto la Ferrari del Team russo SMP Racing di Bertolini-Zlobin-Shaitar sopravanzare quella dell'equipaggio Cressoni-Kemenater all'ultima curva, dopo che l'equipaggio della AF Corse Lyons-Pirazzini-Cioci aveva dovuto ritirarsi quando era in seconda posizione e in lotta per la vittoria. La classifica finale della LMP2 ha confermato la supremazia della Zytec-Nissan del team Jota Sport, che aveva segnato anche la Pole Position, seguita dalla Oreca-Nissa del team Sebastien Loeb Racing e dalla Alpine-Nissan del team Signatech. Molto sfortunato l'equipaggio della Murphy Prototypes che anche quest'anno a Imola ha dovuto ritirarsi, stavolta per il cedimento di un semiasse, quando stava conducendo una gara bellissima ed occupava posizioni di vertice. I piloti Rodolfo Gonzales e Karun Chandhok avranno certamente altre occasioni per confermare il loro alto valore, come piloti e di simpatia. La Classe GTE è stata un monopolio Ferrari e ha visto la vittoria dell'equipaggio Bertolini-Zlobin-Shaitar su Cressoni-Kemenater e Rugolo-McKenzie-Zampieri. Andrea Bertolini ha condotto una gara entusiasmante, rimontando 40 secondi nel suo unico turno di guida e tagliando per primo il traguardo di classe. Andrea si è nuovamente confermato il fuoriclasse che conosciamo, ex campione del mondo sulla Maserati MC12... Anche la Classe GTC è stata dominata dalle vetture di Maranello, con la vittoria dell'equipaggio PierGuidi-Laursen-MacJensen del team Formula Racing, e secondi e terzi classificati i due equipaggi della SMP Racing Markozov-A.Ladygin-Beretta e Basov-K.Ladygin-Persiani. Daniele." Last Sunday, 18th May 2014, the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit at Imola staged the second round of the 2014 Le Mans Series European Championship. The three classes competing included LMP2 Prototypes, GTE and GTC. The race was run in ideal climatic conditions and attracted a large crowd, far more than had been anticipated. The racing was most enjoyable, particularly the LMGTE class, in which the Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin were competing. The most exciting contest was in the LMGTE Class, which saw the Ferrari of the Russian team SMP Racing (Bertolini-Zlobin-Shaitar) overcome the Cressoni-Kemenater team at the last bend, after the Team AF Corse (Lyons-Pirazzini-Cioci) was forced to retire whilst in second place and challenging for the lead. The final result in the LMP2 Class confirmed the supremacy of the Zytec-Nissan of team Jota Sport, which had also secured pole position, followed by the Oreca-Nissa of Team Sebastien Loeb Racing and the Alpine-Nissan of Team Signatech. Most unfortunate at Imola once again were the Murphy Prototypes team, which once again was forced to retire, this time through the failure of a halfshaft, when driving a superb race and occuping prominent positions. The drivers, Rodolfo Gonzales and Karun Chandhok, will certainly have other opportunities to prove their worth, both as drivers and men. The GTE Class turned into a monopoly for Ferrari, which saw victory going to the team of Bertolini-Zlobin-Shaitar ahead of Cressoni-Kemenater and Rugolo-McKenzie-Zampieri. Andrea Bertolini drove an enthusiastic race, gaining some 40 seconds during his stint and confirming his status as the champion that we know, ex-world champion with the Maserati MC12... The GTC Class was also dominated by the cars from Maranello, with a win for Team Formula Racing with PierGuidi-Laursen-MacJensen, and second and third places going to the teams of Markozov-A.Ladygin-Beretta and Basov-K.Ladygin-Persiani. Daniele."

Old friends - Leonardo and Mr. Murphy		Rodolfo Gonzales had completed two stints before the retirement of his Oreca-Nissan of Team Murphy Prototypes

New to the Le Mans Series this year is the american Howard Blank, one of the more senior drivers, shaking hands with Daniele		Andrea Bertolini and his son signing autographs They already know they are going to win !

The Ferrari 458 (GTE) #72 of Team SMP Racing (Bertrolini-Shaitar-Zlobin)		The BMW Z4 (GTC) of team Russia by Barwell

The Porsche 997 - GT3 RSR (GTE)		The Zytec-Nissa of team Jota Sport Winner in the LMP2 Class

The Aston Martin of Team Gulf Racing UK		The two Ferrari 458 of Lyons-Pirazzini-Cioci and Bertolini-Shaitar-Zlobin

The Oreca 03 - Judd of Race Performance waiting for the start... but their race ended when it left the track during the last half hour		Rodolfo Gonzales on the starting grid waiting to take his place in the Oreca-Nissan of Team Murphy Prototypes

The crash helmet of Rodolfo Gonzales		Pole Position

They're off !!!		Howard Blank makes a pit stop in his Ferrari 458 Italia GT3

Father and son, Alexander and Alexander Jr. Talkanitsa and their Ferrari 458 of AT Racing finished in tenth place		The Ferrari 458 Italia of Lyons-Pirazzini-Cioci forced to retire on lap 66 when lying in second place

Rodolfo Gonzales during a pit stop in the Oreca-Nissan of Team Murphy Prototypes		The massive logistical set-up behind the race teams

Andrea Bertolini prepares for his stint		Shaitar who has just handed over to Andrea poses with Nicolas and Leonardo

Imola was once again unlucky for the Murphy Prototypes...		1-2-3 in the LMP2 Class

One can safely say that this young lady looks to be in good health !		The drivers of SMP Racing, with "patron" Boris Rotenberg, enjoying the fruits of their victory !

Andrea Bertolini celebrates with his father and son		The racing is now over, let us go in peace, Amen.