Barba-Kaffer (AF Corse Ferrari) to seek confirmation of top positionLuxury Racing with 3 Ferraris to defend GTS leadershipManthey Racing makes GT Open debut with a GT3 Porsche and Marc Lieb35 cars entered on the much-liked Belgian track
Five weeks after Imola, action is resuming for the International GT Open. Theacclaimed continental GT2 and GT3 series is heading to one of the hot spots ofthe yearly calendar, Spa-Francorchamps. The legendary track in the BelgianArdennes is not only one of the best circuits for GT racing, it is also one of thepreferred one by drivers and fans. No surprise then that the Belgian rendezvousis always attracting an excellent entry, which will reach 35 cars this year,according to the entry list published today.
The GT Open community will gather again sharing a sense of relief, as latestnews on Marcel Tiemann’s conditions are definitely encouraging. PhoenixRacing’s German ace was severely injured in an accident at the start of Race 2in Imola, but he is now out of danger and recovering progressively in theUniversity Hospital of Munich-Grosshadern. Very understandably, PhoenixRacing has not yet confirmed his presence Spa-Francorchamps, but everybodyis wishing Marcel a full recovery and hoping to see the German squad back inthe tracks as soon as possible.
On the sports side, Spa will be an important round to see if championshipleaders, Álvaro Barba and Pierre Kaffer, who have won 4 races out of 6 withtheir AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT2, will be able to strengthen their leadingposition in the overall standings.
But Ferrari can count also, besides the AF Corse machines (the Italian team isbringing a fourth F430 GT2 for Aguas-Garofano), on two excellent outsiders likethe CRS machine of Niarchos-Mullen and the EdilCris one of Giammaria-Toccacelo, both able to fight for victory.
In the GTS class, it will be again a close duel between the leading LuxuryRacing Ferrari, the Kessel Racing Ferraris, the Autorlando Porsche GT3 and theVillois Racing Aston Martins. Luxury Ferrari is coming to Belgium with threeFerraris F430, two of which entrusted to all-French new pairs, Demay-Rougetand Lorgère Roux-Rodrigues, while Jean-Philippe Dayraut will most probably beassisted this time by French GT ace Frédéric Makowiecki.
Among new entries, a name sticks out without no question: Manthey Racing,the stalwart German GT team, known for its many successes in the 24 Hours ofNuerburgring, its making its first appearance in the GT Open, with a PorscheGT3 entrusted to Marc Lieb, an LMS GT2 champion and recent co-winner of the24 Hours of Le Mans, and “Mark Bullitt”.
Some GT Open past GTS participants are also back: it is the case of the DeLorenzi Porsche (De Lorenzi-Borghi), the Scuderia 22 Corvette which won theGTS title in 2008, the Vodafone Aston Martin of Portuguese pair Coimbra-Silvaand the Rollcentre Mosler GT3 of Martin Short, while new in the blocks is theDodge Viper of German team Vulcan-Mintgen.
The GT International GT Open event will share the limelight with thecompetitive and exciting European F3 Open, which is holding its third round ofthe season, the Auto GP and other series in the framework of the traditionaland prestigious Spa Euro Race meeting.
All the action from Spa can be followed by fans via the live broadcasts in Italy(Nuvolari), Spain (Canal + Deportes; Intereconomía), Portugal (Sport TV) andPoland (nSport) and the extensive delayed coverage ensured in 50 countries byMotors TV (with the Race 1 live and the Race 2 slightly delayed at 20:00 CET onSunday), and by Fox Sports and ESPN in Central and South America.
