Ide 3rd in the series

The Belgian Audi Club Team WRT has completed its second international season on a high,taking a win in the closing race of the European FIA GT3 in Zandvoort. Enzo Ide andChristopher Haase brought the Audi R8 LMS to a flag-to-flag success, which allows theBelgian driver to finish on the podium of the final standings. The Belgian team arrived atZandvoort determined to defend the mathematical chances it still had to win the title and hadsplit its leading pair, Grégory Franchi and Enzo Ide, to maximize the chances. Unfortunately,a difficult Race 1, with the two cars not scoring points, made things almost impossible forSunday. Nevertheless, car #33 closed a great year with another success, while Greg Franchi-Didier André, on car #32, were forced to retire.

It was clear from qualifying 1 that the battle in the Netherlands, with great but cold weather, wasgoing to be tough, given the level of competitiveness in the series. Didier André qualified 15th in the#32, after being disturbed by two red flags in his quick runs, while Enzo Ide could not complete asingle lap after being pushed in the gravel by another competitor as he was exiting the pits. Boundto start last, Ide and Haase climbed positions during the race to finish 17th, while the progression ofAndré-Franchi, who could have finished in the top 10, was hindered by a stop&go, as the car left thepits after driver change …one thousand of a second too early, eventually finishing 18th.

Things went much better for #33 in qualifying 2, as Christopher Haase took a superb pole, whileFranchi had traffic problems and qualified 25th. Theoretically, for a mere little point, there still was onSunday morning a title chance, although realistically, going for it seemed an impossible mission.Still, the Belgian squad did everything it could, i.e. win the race. It was almost a smooth win for thepole-setting WRT Audi, as Haase kept the lead at the start and built a 4-second advantage that Ideextended during his stint before perfectly controlling the come-back of the Mercedes in the finallaps. For Franchi-André, it was a frustrating end of the week-end, as they had to retire during thepit-stop after a bearing problem was noticed on the rear left wheel.

There was satisfaction in the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT pits after the race, as Ide ensured thirdposition in the final standings of such a disputed series. Enzo was, of course, the happiest: “It’ssensational to finish third and by winning again, especially when I think this is only my second yearin motorsports”, said the Belgian. “Moreover, this third win makes of me the driver having won mostraces in this year’s FIA GT3! It’s a pity our chances in Race 1 were spoiled by a Lambo hitting meas I took the track for qualifying, as I think we could have done well on a circuit I love. But we cannotcomplain after a season like this and I want to thank the team for trusting in me and for the greatwork done, as I want to thank Christopher for his excellent job here in Zandvoort and Greg for all hehas taught me and all the fun we had during the season”.

Greg Franchi, on his side, was not too disappointed. “It has been a frustrating weekend for sure”,commented the Liège-born, “but with a win at the 24 Hours of Spa and the Blancpain title, this hasbeen a wonderful season and I can only be happy and grateful to the Belgian Audi Club and theTeam WRT.”

The final word was for team manager Vincent Vosse: “Coming here, we knew the challenge wasvery difficult”, said the man at the helm of Team WRT. “Still, we end the season on the internationalscene with another win, it’s the best encouragement for 2012. Four wins in total, including theprestigious 24 Hours of Spa, the Blancpain Endurance Series title and a bronze medal in the FIAGT3: I think we can be proud of our achievements and I want to thank everyone at the Belgian AudiClub, Team WRT, all our drivers, sponsors and fans for this terrific 2011, their hard work, passionand support. We’ll be back next year!”

European FIA GT3 – Round Blancpain Endurance Series – Round 6Zandvoort Circuit (NL)

Race 1 Results1. Van Splunteren-Soulet (Porsche 911 R) 35 laps in 1h01m22s2822. Lyons-Salaquarda (Ferrari 458 Italia) + 6s8853. Mayr-von Thurn (Lamborghini Gallardo) + 0s9094. Frankenhout-Hirsch (Mercedes SLS) +12s6385. Baumann-Bosi (Mercedes SLS) +13s53717. Ide-Haase (Audi R8 LMS) +1m08s17318. Franchi-André (Audi R8 LMS) +1m09s223

Race 2 Results1. Haase-Ide (Audi R8 LMS) 35 laps in 1h01m14s8072. Baumann-Bosi (Mercedes SLS) + 5s9093. Demoustier-Parisy (Mercedes SLS) +18s8234. Leo-Castellacci (Ferrari 458 Italia) +21s7255. Giauque-Jäger (Mercedes SLS) +27s065DNF Franchi-André (Audi R8 LMS) (18 laps) mechanical

Championship Standings after Round 6 (Final)1. Leo-Castellacci 111 points2. Parisy 1023. Ide 1004. Baumann-Bosi 955. Giauque 938. Franchi 7520. Haase 2529. André 8