GEBHARDT Motorsport secured three victories at the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge at Virginia International Raceway. Good speed at the Michelin Le Mans Cup in Spa-Francorchamps.
Gebhardt Motorsport from Sinsheim can look back on a successful weekend. The team fielded two Duqueine D08 in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge at Virginia International Raceway. Alongside regular driver Valentino Catalano, Sweden's Alexzander Kristiansson made his debut in the American racing series. Kristiansson normally races for the team in the Prototype Cup Germany.
The team swept the board at the popular natural race track. ADAC Sports Foundation driver Valentino Catalano won all three races in commanding fashion. This was an important step for the young German in the battle for the IMSA championship title. Catalano built up a commanding lead in every race – over 42 seconds in the second race! A true demonstration of power from the 19-year-old from Westheim in the Palatinate.
Alexzander Kristiansson also impressed on his debut in American motorsport. Once the Scandinavian had got used to the new surface, he finished second on the podium twice. Kristiansson was unable to compete in the third race, as it was the postponed race from Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and only drivers who had competed at Mosport were eligible to start.
In the championship standings of the LMP3 class of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Valentino Catalano was able to significantly extend his lead after his demonstration of power. With 3,310 points, he has a 370-point lead over his closest rival. A further 700 points will be awarded at the season finale at Road Atlanta.
‘What a great weekend at Virginia International Raceway,’ enthused Fritz Gebhardt. ‘Valentino won all three races in impressive fashion – we saw his driving class on display here. As a result, he has significantly extended his lead in the standings and we now have a good chance of winning the title at Road Atlanta! That is our only goal! Alexzander Kristiansson also put in a convincing performance, even though almost everything was new to him. We are also very satisfied with his performance.’
The season finale of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will take place as part of the legendary Petit Le Mans. The big season finale will be held at Road Atlanta from 8 to 11 October.
Parallel to its involvement in the USA, GEBHARDT Motorsport also competed with a Duqueine D09 in the Michelin Le Mans Cup at Spa-Francorchamps. Oscar Tunjo and Danny Soufi piloted the latest generation LMP3 car on the Ardennes rollercoaster. On the traditional circuit, GEBHARDT Motorsport continued its upward trend in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, which is impressively underlined by a third place on the grid. However, the team had to retire the French prototype early in the race: after being hit several times by a competitor during a duel, the car lost its rear ‘ch
