Javier Ibran and Mathijs Bakker, with the new Ginetta G55 having its fire baptism in racing last weekend at the Circuito de Navarra, were fighting for victory in the Michelin Endurance Series and the Spanish GT championship but transmission problems forced them to retire.

Buggy Experience Racing Team made its debut in the Michelin Endurance Series and the Spanish GT championship last weekend, as the team raced at the Circuito de Navarra in Los Arcos. The brand new Ginetta G55 driven by Javier ibrán and Mathijs Bakker stepped forward as a protagonist from the very beginning, as they both finished second in D2L class and 8th overall during free practice sessions. Saturday evening, in qualifying, the Spanish outfit claimed 2nd place in class and to start from the fourth row on the grid for Sunday race.

Then, Ibrán carried out race´s first stint and the experienced Spanish driver was improving his performance as time passed and, when Bakker took over in the second half of the race, prospects were excellent facing slower drivers. However, shortly before reaching two hours into the race, the Ginetta G55 suffered a transmission problem forcing them to retire when win was within the means for Buggy Experience Racing Team. “The race was rather good, but unfortunately we retired while looking for a victory here, if we bear in mind Mathijs were racing against slower drivers by then. Our car suffered from transmission issues and we couldn´t finish, but anyway 3rd place in the Spanish GT, as its classification was decided after two hours, is a good balance”, Ibrán explains, stressing that “our strategy was working perfectly, as I was doing the opening stint and then Mathijs taking over by the halfway point. Our plan was to pit once and it was the correct choice at the end. Our team did a very good job and I congratulate them all”.

Next race, sharing track with Spanish Endurance championship, takes place in Barcelona on May 17-18.