Bornhauser / Groppi all fired up

There are always things happening in Albi! This first race was no exception to the rule. At the start, Bruno Hernandez took the lead, only at the chicane Éric Debard, who started very well from the second row, touched him and damaged his rear extractor. The Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette thus becomes difficult to drive. Hernandez could not defend his chances and Patrick Bornhauser, aboard the No. 1 Saleen, took advantage and moved into second.

Little by little, Patrick Bornhauser regains ground against the Corvette of the leader, Éric Debard. The pressure is mounting, the Corvette is becoming more and more difficult to drive and Bornhauser is taking advantage of it. The Orléanais takes the lead as the driver changes approach. It was at this moment that the race was marked by a spectacular fire.

Indeed, Romain Brandela's BMW Alpina burst into flames in the stands. Everyone rushes with fire extinguishers in their hands, while the other competitors manage to leave the stands as best they can. The firefighters arrive to try to control the fire. Meanwhile the race continues, and in the lead Laurent Groppi contains Olivier Panis.

The latter, eight minutes from the finish, was forced to return to the pits with a front puncture. Only in the stands, the Sport Garage BMW is still burning and the firefighters are hard at work. The race management has no choice but to wave the red flag. Thus, victory goes to Patrick Bornhauser and Laurent Groppi. “I set off while the BMW was on fire. It was impressive and I admit that I didn’t hang around in the stands” concedes Laurent Groppi. ?I was surprised by Olivier Panis?s pace, he was very fast. But I resisted and managed, I knew that our car was constant. I defended Patrick?s work, it’s an important victory. »

Second, Olivier Panis is still satisfied with the result. “At the end of the race, I punctured, I told myself that everything was over and then I saw the red flag! In fact, the firefighters were still working on the BMW, so I couldn't get to my stand to change wheels. In Sport Garage's misfortune, we are lucky. »

In the FFSA GT3 French Championship, the first part of the race is marked by the demonstration of François Jakubowski, aboard the brand new Ferrari F430 GT3 from AS Events. Alone in the world, he widens the gap against the rest of the pack. Christopher Campbell completes the work. The two men therefore won ahead of the Lamborghinis of Dubreuil / Amado and Peyroles / Ruffier. This is the first victory for Jakubowski and Campbell aboard the new Ferrari F430 GT3 which they have had since Val de Vienne.

Another one-hour race is on the program tomorrow.