At the Nürburgring, the GMS Team secured its first victory in the new Prototype Cup Europe.
Following the season opener in March, the second race weekend of the new Prototype Cup Europe took place at the Nürburgring last weekend. The GMS Team was also represented in a growing field of entrants, fielding a Ligier JS P325 with the support of GEBHARDT Motorsport. Valentino Catalano and Danny Soufi were at the wheel. The drivers have won the title in the former Prototype Cup Germany for the past two years, and the young German is also the reigning champion in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
In the first qualifying session, Danny Soufi secured a commanding pole position for the first race. Valentino Catalano qualified in second place on the grid for the second race.
In the first race, the GMS Team Ligier pulled away from the competition in irresistible fashion. Following a dominant and flawless performance, Catalano and Soufi won the race with a lead of over 27 seconds. An impressive show of strength by the team.
In the second race, the team had to serve a longer mandatory pit stop as a result of their victory; furthermore, Catalano spun at the start of the second race. The team then launched a spectacular comeback, managing to close the gap on the leader once again, and a battle for the lead ensued in the closing stages. Ultimately, Catalano missed out on victory by around 0.7 seconds in the final stint.
After two of four race weekends, Valentino Catalano lies second in the Prototype Cup Europe, currently 14 points behind the leader. The GMS Team also occupies second place in the team standings.
“What a weekend at the Nürburgring! We won the first race and finished second in the second,” said Valentino Catalano after the weekend. “The GMS Team’s Ligier LMP3 was absolutely on top form all weekend, and everyone did a brilliant job. A huge thank you to the whole team and my team-mate Danny Soufi for all the hard work and this unforgettable weekend. We’re leaving the Nürburgring with great momentum and in second place in the championship.”
The Prototype Cup Europe continues from 31 July to 2 August at the high-speed circuit in Monza, Italy.
