Blancpain GT Sports Club heads to Budapest, with all three class titles up for grabs

Blancpain GT Sports Club heads to Budapest, with all three class titles up for grabs

Karim Ojjeh chasing overall and Titanium Cup titles at penultimate round
Klaus Dieter Frers on course for Iron Cup victory
12 drivers, including debutant Kenny Habul, set to do battle at legendary Hungaroring


With the summer break now drawing to a close, the Blancpain GT Sports Club returns this weekend to Budapest, Hungary, as Boutsen Ginion’s Karim Ojjeh (#2 BMW M6 GT3) looks to wrap up his maiden championship title.

Twelve entries from five manufacturers including, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes and Porsche, head to the Hungaroring for the 2018 season’s penultimate round, with the overall, Titanium Cup and Iron Cup championships all up for grabs.

Karim Ojjeh holds a 51-point advantage over AF Corse’s Mario Cordoni (#70 Ferrari 488 GT3) in the overall standings, with just 66 points available from the final two rounds. The Saudi Arabian has been in fine form this year and could also clinch the inaugural Titanium Cup title with a solid performance this weekend.

The battle behind is sure to go down to the wire though, with Coach McKansy (#17 HP Racing International Lamborghini Huracan GT3) and last year’s Hungarian Qualifying Race-winner Patrick Van Glabeke (#488 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3) both hoping for a strong result at the 4.381-mile circuit, as they look to launch themselves into second-place contention.

Elsewhere, Herberth Motorsport’s Jürgen Häring (#66 Porsche 991 GT3 R) and AF Corse’s Angélique Detavernier (#55 Ferrari 488 GT3), will both be ones to watch, having shown impressive pace last time out.   

Also at Herberth Motorsport, Edward Lewis Brauner (#991 Porsche 991 GT3 R) returns to the series having missed the Misano and Spa rounds, as he looks to add to his points tally at Budapest.

Joining the series is legendary racer and team owner Kenny Habul (#751 Sun Energy 1 by Akka ASP Team Mercedes-AMG GT3), who will hope his vast GT racing experience will help him fight at the front at the Hungarian Grand Prix venue.

Four Iron Cup entries also make up the grid, with class leader Klaus Dieter Frers (#3 Artega Rennsport Ferrari 488 GT3) looking likely to regain the title, having lost out by just one point to Stephen Earle (#111 Kessel Racing Ferrari 488 GT3) last year.

The American is best positioned to put a stopper in his rival’s efforts, but will have to watch out behind from Louis-Philippe Soenen (#50 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3), who may still cause an upset. Roberto Rayneri (#60 GDL Racing Mercedes SLS AMG GT3) could yet get ahead of the Belgian, as he looks to add to his first class podium from Spa.

Both practice sessions, qualifying and the 25-minute Qualifying Race will all take place on Saturday, with the 40-minute Main Race getting underway on Sunday morning.

 


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