Isaac Tutumlu and Barzani Racing had a positive debut in the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo this weekend, in a new race meeting at Mugello.

Tutumlu drove the Autorlando Porsche 997 GT3 R, teaming up with a new teammate, Antonio Spavone.

Tutumlu,  who had never raced at this track, managed a top-ten in free practice sessions but, unfortunately coul;d not capitalise on that promise in the qualifying sessions.

We were using the new engine for Silverstone but, after a minor problem, we chose to change it. It was a cautionary measure but necessary. So we  missed both qualifying sessions and we start from the back of the grid, Tutumlu said.

Sunday's races  consisted of 50 minutes each. Tutumlu made the first stint in race one, overtaking several cars on the opening lap but our car had a problem with flat bottom, so I had to pit. We tried to make repairs and continue racing but the Porsche wasnt working properly, losing time sector by sector. So, after fourteen laps, we retired, the GT Open winner in Jerez commented.

For race two, Spavone completed a good opening stint, coming through an important number of cars. With Tutumlu taking over at the wheel of the car, the Spaniard of Kurdish ancestry became one of the fastest men on track, finishing 6th at the end. I was trying to finish into top five places, but our feeling with this tire compound has to be improved. But we completed an excellent second race, starting from the back and finishing 6th. We had to face official teams like Lamborghini, Audi and BMW and drivers such as Rinaldo Capello, Michela Cerruti, Giuseppe Cir, Domenico Schiatarella, Alex Frassineti or Fabio Babini. I posted fastest lap at the end, something pretty surprising for my own team. It was a good debut, taking into account the championship and the track were unknown for me, and we had to start from the back of the grid. It was a good rehearsal for Silverstone, next week.