The Italian pair control a race that had two safety-car periodsRamos-Schothorst (2nd) give BMW Teo Martín the Teams’ titleSini-Fannin 3rd with the Solaris AstonShaun Balfe (McLaren) secures runner-up position, as Yacamán-Monje get involved in last-minute incidentAka-Häring (Attempto Porsche) take GT-Am success
A dramatic and eventful Race 2 put an end to the 2016 season of the International GT Open. Daniel Zampieri and Marco Antonelli, with the Antonelli Motorsport, took a superb win, controlling well a race that was marked by two safety-car periods. A contact between and Terting in lap 4 prompted the first one, with the other at the end caused by the severe impact of Beaubelique’s Mercedes, who also involved the McLaren of Tappy.
Miguel Ramos-Pieter Schothorst took second, confirming the Teams title for Teo Martín Motorsport. The runner-up position in the overall championship changed in the penultimate lap, when Yacamán-Monje’s BMW collided with the leading car and was forced to retire, leaving the honours to Shaun Balfe, y 6th with Phil Keen on the Balfe McLaren.
The Gt-Am race was also decided in the final lap, with Jürgen Häring-Arkin Aka taking a last-minute win for the Attempto Racing Porsche.
THE RACE - At the start, there is a close fight between Zampieri and Barnes, with theItalian keeping the advantage and the Brit closing well on Ledogar. Further into the firstlap, Krognes hits Barnes sending him into a spin, with Keen and Terting taking passingLedogar in the turmoil. Krognes is in the pits with an open front bonnet, while Yoluc goesinto the gravel. In lap 4, race ruined for both Ledogar and Terting as they collide in turn10, prompting the safety-car out.
The race resumes in lap 8 with Zampieri leading ahead of Keen, Cadei, Sini, Cioci,Schothorst, Perel (who leads in GT-Am), Monje, Policand and the new champion Biagi. TheAudi of Cruz gets a drive-through for overtaking under yellow, while Cadei goes widedropping to P12.
After all driver changes, Antonelli leads with 10 seconds over Yacamán and 12 on Moiseev,who makes a slight off-track in lap 20. Then, Ramos and Fannin in full fight, Balfe,Beaubelique and Tappy. Also Ramos goes wide after passing Moiseev, overtaken later alsoby Fannin.The thrilling moment comes in lap 24, when Beaubelique loses the Mercedes at the end ofthe straight, impacts on the inside wall and collects the McLaren of Tappy. The two driversare ok but the cars are destroyed and the race is neutralized.
There are only two laps of race left but quite eventful. Yacamán tries to pass Antonelli onthe outside for the lead but there is slight contact and the BMW is out of the race with abroken wheel. Antonelli wins ahead of Ramos, Sini, Biagi, Cioci and Balfe, who securessecond in the championship. In GT-Am, the restart sees Ricci passing Earle, but eventuallyHäring pips both of them.
FINAL STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 14 OF 14Overall: 1. Crestani-Biagi, 185 points; 2. Balfe, 133; 3. Monje-Yacamán, 125; 4. Ramos, 124; 5. Keen, 109; 6.Yoluc-Hankey, 102; etc…Pro-Am: 1. Crestani-Biagi, 78 points; 2. Balfe, 52; 3. Monje-Yacamán, 49; 4. Ramos, 46; 5. Keen, 42; 6. West,38; etc…GT-Am: 1. Sardinha Silva-Da Costa Coimbra, 55 points; 2. Barreiros, 36; 3. Lémeret, 23; 4. Galbiati, 17; 5.Sdanewitsch, 16; etc…Teams: 1. BMW Teo Martín, 95; 2. Orange1 Team Lazarus, 78; 3. Garage59, 69; 4. Balfe Motorsport, 52; 5. TFSport, 37; 6. AF Corse, 33; etc…
