Author: Keke Platzer

Registration open for anniversary season

In its 30th season, the BOSS GP Racing Series once again offers a unique platform for Big Open Single Seaters. The season starts in early May in Hockenheim.

Applications for the six championship events of the 2024 season are now possible. There will be no season registration this year, only individual entries for the races. Interested drivers and teams can find details on the adapted registration process and the form at www.bossgp.com/forteams

To allow us to plan the races in the best possible way, we recommend submitting the required documents in good time.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

AMF honours for BOSS GP drivers

The champions of the 2023 season received more honours in Austria last January.

The Austrian Motorsport Federation (AMF) celebrated the winning drivers of the previous year in a magnificent setting at the Congress Center and Casino in Baden, around 30 kilometres from Vienna. As a racing series based in Austria, we were given this honour. The champions Ingo Gerstl (BOSS GP F1 Class) and Henry Clausnitzer (SUPER LIGHTS) gladly attended the evening. On behalf of HS Engineering, team owner Michael Hascic received the trophy for the OPEN title win by Antonio Pizzonia. FORMULA winner Simone Colombo had to be excused due to the start of the karting season in Italy and the obligations that go with it.

This time, the BOSS GP Racing Series with its representative Keke Platzer also had the opportunity to present the series on stage in a discussion with AMF General Secretary Michael Fehlmann ahead of its 30th anniversary in the 2024 season.

Photos: Gregor Nesvadba

Race calendar 2024 revealed

By New Year’s Eve, the BOSS GP Racing Series has published its dates for its anniversary season.

In the 30th year of Europe’s fastest and, for many, most exciting racing series, the teams and drivers of the BOSS GP Racing Series will once again be on tour in Europe. The organisers have succeeded in combining familiar race tracks and new events. Once again, only circuits with the highest safety standards were selected. This ensures that the infrastructure offers only the best conditions and that the drivers compete on the same tracks where Formula 1 and MotoGP are usually in action. Not to forget the unforgettable atmosphere at events such as the Jim Clark Revival in Hockenheim or Jack’s Racing Day in the Netherlands.

RACE TRACKS AND EVENTS

The 2024 season will once again kick off at the Hockenheimring (3-5 May), where tens of thousands of spectators will once again await the cars and their drivers in the packed Motodrom. Three weeks after the ADAC Hockenheim Historic, the long-awaited comeback will take place at the Nürburgring (24-26 May). The Nürburgring Classic at the legendary circuit in the Eifel will be one of the highlights of the season.

Following this, we will hit the track for the series’ home race in Spielberg (7-9 June), where the BOSS GP Racing Series will make its second appearance as the highlight of the Red Bull Ring Classics. This will be followed by another appearance in Assen (2-4 August), where a full house at the legendary TT Circuit will once again get to hear the unique sound of our line-up at Jack’s Racing Day (free entry!).

The finale will again be a double-header in Italy in Autumn. First up is one of the favourite tracks of many drivers, the Mugello Circuit (11-13 October) in Tuscany. This will be followed three weeks later by the “Grande Finale” at the Misano World Circuit (1-3 November), a track that has delivered exciting races in recent years and has been well appreciated by the teams and drivers. Due to the track grading, no Formula 1 cars will be on track at the finale.

ENTERTAINMENT WITH FORMULA 1 CARS: THIS IS F1 CAR LEGENDS

However, after the successful test event in Brno in 2023, these cars will have the opportunity to compete in a new show race format called “F1 Car Legends” in 2024. The two dates at the Grand Prix de France Historique in Le Castellet (19-21 April) and at Jack’s Racing Day in Assen from the 2nd to the 4th of August have already been confirmed. More details on this offer for Formula 1 car owners will be available shortly at www.bossgp.com

RACE FORMAT AND APPLICATION

As in the past, there will be two races per race weekend in addition to the practice and qualifying sessions. Whoever collects the most points in his or her class at the end of the year will be crowned champion. Last year, this was the case for Ingo Gerstl (BOSS GP F1 Class), Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN), Simone Colombo (FORMULA) and Henry Clausnitzer (SUPER LIGHTS).

The regulations for the 2024 season and the registration forms will be published on www.bossgp.com soon. The documents from the previous year are available as a reference for interested participants: www.bossgp.com/forteams

Photo: WF Racing

Report: Race 2 Mugello

The last winner’s trophies of the 2023 season go to Antonio Pizzonia, Simone Colombo and Walter Colacino.

In perfect weather, the drivers of the BOSS GP Racing Series were challenged once again on Sunday lunchtime: The longer 25-minute race had to be contested and at numerous positions drivers fought for a better result.

Not impressed by this, Antonio Pizzonia (BRA) took another overall victory today. The driver of the Austrian team HS Engineering also took first place in the final race of the OPEN class this season. With a time of 1:31.120 min, Pizzonia topped his best lap time from yesterday. This means that Pizzonia has now managed to set a new lap record in his World Series 4.5, as only Formula 1 cars have ever been faster on this track. The previous record holder was Harald Schlegelmilch (LVA), OPEN champion in 2022, also in this car.

Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) was the one who left his mark on the 14th race of the season in the FORMULA class. After Pizzonia had lost ground due to degrading tyres, Colombo had even taken the lead for a moment. Behind him, Marc Faggionato (MCO, MM International) built up pressure in the early stages, with Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) hot on his heels. Sometimes on the edge of track limits, the top drivers in the FORMULA class gave each other nothing in the final race of the season. On lap 11 of 16, Ghiotto overtook the Faggionato in front of him. But the gap to Colombo had already grown to several seconds. So once again it was Colombo who was allowed to open the champagne first. Ghiotto took second place, Faggionato came third.

Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) finished behind, Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) was in fifth place. In a nice triell, the two Zig Zag drivers Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) and Nicolas Matile (MCO) as well as the Scuderia Palladio supported Bruno Jarach (ITA, Eesti Motorsport) met. For almost 15 laps the group were together, finally Jarach beat the two Auto GP cars to the chequered flag. In SUPER LIGHTS, Walter Colacino (ITA, Walter Colacino Racing) took home another victory.

After seven events in France, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands, the champions for the 2023 season are Ingo Gerstl (BOSS GP F1 Class), Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN), Simone Colombo (FORMULA) and Henry Clausnitzer (SUPER LIGHTS). They will be honoured at the end-of-year party at the end of November in the city of Salzburg.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report: Race 1 Mugello

Simone Colombo continues his hot streak with his tenth win of the season. Colacino and Pizzonia win their classes.

After securing the championship title last time out in Monza, Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) is not slowing down in the first Mugello race. The now two-time BOSS GP Champion managed to keep Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) at distance once again. The Italian battle in the FORMULA class continued in Mugello, although this time it was much less tense between the two GP2 drivers. By the way, Ghiotto finished in the top-3 for the tenth time this season.

In the battle for third place, Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) had already built up a small lead over the drivers behind him before a safety car interruption reunited the pack. Fiedler defended hard but always fair against Marc Faggionato (MCO, MM International) before the Monegasque was able to overtake Fiedler in the third sector. A small driving mistake a little later also allowed Salvatore de Plano (ITA, MM International) to pass the German. Faggionato was annoyed despite third place, because not for the first time this year a bad start robbed the fast all-rounder of his chance to fight for victory.

Sixth place went to Nicolas Matile (MCO) of the French team Zig-Zag. Bruno Jarach (ITA, Eesti Motorsport) took 7th place ahead of Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA, Zig-Zag), who crossed the finish line only just behind. Roland Rupprechter (AUT, Rupprechter Motorsport) was delighted with another finish.

Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) was on the best way to overall victory, but on lap 5 the former Formula 1 driver stopped in turn 3 because the shifting of the World Series Dallara did not work correctly anymore. Walter Colacino (ITA, Walter Colacino Racing) took the full points in the SUPER LIGHTS classification and climbed onto the podium as well. The last chance to take a trophy this season is tomorrow, Sunday: the longer, 25-minute race starts at 11:00 a.m. CEST.

Photo: Angelo Poletto

Report: Qualifying Mugello

Antonio Pizzonia leading the way, exciting races expected in FORMULA and Walter Colacino best SUPER LIGHTS driver in Qualifying.

In the finest late summer weather, the 5.245-kilometre track at Mugello presented its most beautiful side to the BOSS GP drivers. In qualifying, which determines the starting grid for both races, Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) set the fastest time in the OPEN classification for the seventh time this season. This time, the ex-Formula 1 driver from Williams and Jaguar will lead the full field to the start, as he did in Misano earlier this year.

In the FORMULA class, a three-way battle for the top spot is expected after practice and qualifying: Simone Colombo (ITA), Marc Faggionato (MCO, both MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) were separated by just a few tenths of a second on their fastest lap – they will probably fight it out between themselves for victory.

Following them was another MM International driver, Salvatore de Plano (ITA) starts from third row. The two Auto GP cars from Zig-Zag will start from row 3 and 4: Nicolas Matile (MCO) was faster than team-mate Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA). Best in the SUPER LIGHTS class this time around was Walter Colacino (ITA, Walter Colacino Racing) in his Formula 3000.

Roland Rupprechter (AUT, Rupprechter Motorsport) and Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) both came to an early end to their practice sessions after a spin. However, both will be able to take part in the races. The start of the first race is today, Saturday, at 14:10 CEST, the second race starts tomorrow, Sunday, at 11:00 CEST.

Photo: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview: Grande Finale Mugello

One more time this year, the engines of the BOSS GP Racing Series will be fired up: The grand finale of the 2023 season will take place in Tuscany.

For rounds 13 and 14 of the season, the teams and drivers will travel to one of the most beautiful racetracks on the continent. The 5.245-kilometer track at Mugello (built in 1974) will be the the venue for the finale of a great 2023 season that will be remembered for, among other things, new spectator records.

The Mugello Circuit is owned by Ferrari and traditionally hosts the MotoGP. In 2020, the track in Tuscany also was the venue for a Formula 1 race. The sequences of corners are mostly fluid and fast, the topography hilly. This makes the track, which was built in 1974, a favourite of many drivers. In addition, temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius are forecast for the coming weekend.

Entries

With no F1 cars in the entry list, Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering) goes into the finale as the favourite for overall victory. For the Brazilian, however, it is once again a good opportunity to attack the lap record of a non-F1. Should he see the checkered flag in both races yet again, he could finish the season without a retirement and with a 100 percent win rate in the OPEN class.

In the most competitive class FORMULA, where Formula 2 and World Series cars meet, MM Motorsport brings the most promising line-up to the start line: With Simone Colombo (ITA), Marc Faggionato (MCO) and Salvatore de Plano (ITA) three former race winners have entered the event. They will take on Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) who wants to make the most of his last chance for a win this season. Another Italian, Bruno Jarach, will start in Ghiotto’s team.

Nicolas Matile (MCO) and Jean-Christophe Peyre (FRA) will compete for the French Zig-Zag Motorsport team. Both will be driving one of the spectacular Auto GP cars. Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) is now fully back after a few absences this season and has a good chance of jumping up a few places in the overall standings.

And in the SUPER LIGHTS? Walter Colacino (ITA, Colacino Racing) is also coming to Tuscany with his Formula 3000. He shares the Lola, built in 1996, with his colleague Roberto Vanni (ITA).

Timetable

Friday, 6 October
11:30–12:00          Free Practice 1
16:00–16:30          Free Practice 2

Saturday, 7 October
10:00–10:30          Qualifying (separated in two groups)
14:10–14:30          Race 1 (20 minutes)

Sunday, 8 October
11:00–11:25 Race 2 (25 minutes)

all times CEST

Tickets

On Friday, admission is free. 5 Euros is the price of admission to the grounds on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the paddock and the main grandstand is 15 Euros. For women, 14 to 17-year-olds and ACI members there is a reduced price of 10 Euros. Free admission is granted to residents of the nearby municipality of Scarperia e San Piero and children up to 14 years of age.

Support program

Other racing series in the program of the PNK Racing Weekend in Mugello are the F2000 Trophy with the Drexler Formel Cup (Formula 3, Formula Renault 2.0, etc.), the Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior cars, the Sports Car Challenge and Master Tricolore Prototipi, as well as GT and touring car races with modern and historic bolides.

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Report: Races Monza

The crowds at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza enjoyed three days of top-class motorsport at the Nardi Compressori Race. Italian Colombo wins second FORMULA title in a row. Japanese Noda impresses on debut.

The first race on Saturday will probably go down as one of the races that started the latest in BOSS GP history. After a lengthy rain interruption in the afternoon, the BOSS GP timetable was also delayed. The first (20-minute) race did not start until after 6 pm, however when it did, it offered a stunning ambience at the Parco di Monza as apology for the wait.

The Formula 1 racetrack also saw two highlights with F1 history featuring Ingo Gerstl’s Toro Rosso STR1 and Antonio Pizzonia. Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) had to give way to the Brazilian for overall victory in both races this time. Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) impressed not only with the victory in the OPEN class. By using a “low downforce setup” on the World Series V8 with a 4.5-litre engine he was able to achieve a top speed of over 330 km/h. Ingo Gerstl is now officially the champion of the BOSS GP F1 Class and joins the confirmed champions of the 2023 season, Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN) and Henry Clausnitzer (SUPER LIGHTS).

Gerstl followed closely by Pizzonia, in the background Marco Ghiotto

A decision was also made in the FORMULA class, where the epic duel between two Italians continued. In qualifying, Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) had scored a coup by having more time in Q2 than his rival Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International). He used this time to go for the fastest time again at the end of the session with new Pirelli tyres. Ghiotto got it right and put himself in a better position for the two races.

Their duels made their mark on the races in this competitive class with Formula 2 (GP2) and World Series cars. An unfortunate situation in the first race took Ghiotto out of contention for victory. However, with third place in class, he at least saved a large number of points. In the second race, once more Ghiotto kept up with championship leader Colombo and tried everything to keep the title race open. But once again it was not enough. With the double victory, Colombo will travel to the finale in Mugello (6-8 October 2023) as the old and new champion. It is the former karting professional’s second title in the BOSS GP. This extends the series of championships for Italian drivers to five in a row.

But newcomer Juju Noda (JPN, HS Engineering) was also in the mix and impressed many commentators with her ability to learn quickly. For the former driver in the W Series and the Euroformula Open, it was a successful debut in the league of the “Big Open Single Seater”. Places 2 and 3 were a showcase of talent for the 17-year-old in the World Series 3.5. Team-mate Paul O’Connell (IRE), competing for the first time in the team’s 4.5-litre World Series in the OPEN class, also contributed with two second places to the fact that HS Engineering once again collected a lot of silverware.

Race 1 podium ceremony

Andreas Fiedler (GER, Fiedler Racing) made his comeback after a break and showed with fourth place in the second run that he also belongs to the top group. Other notable results: 5th place for Checco Malavasi (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) and 6th place for newcomer David Richert (CDN, MM International) in the second race. After a premature retirement in the first race, Felix and Michael Grosse-Aschhoff (both GER, Asche Racing) were able to score in the second race, as was Bruno Jarach (ITA, Eesti Motorsport).

Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing) gained some new fans in the iconic Ralt F3000 with retro design. He scored full points twice in the SUPER LIGHTS and is now on course for second place in the championship.

Photos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

Preview: Nardi Compressori Race Monza

After two years, the BOSS GP Racing Series finally returns to the Parco di Monza, one of the most prestigious racing venues in the world.

Where just a few weeks ago thousands and thousands of Tifosi were able to experience Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen & Co., Formula 1 history will once again return this coming weekend (September 22 to 24, 2023). With the BOSS GP Racing Series, the fastest racing cars of the past 25 years are lined up to contest again in a race. The great interest in drivers for the sixth race weekend of the season showed how popular the circuit is.

The second of three Italian BOSS GP rounds this season will be held in Monza

The 5.793-kilometer racetrack in the royal park of Monza is one of the most impressive racing facilities in the world. As one of the last high-speed tracks, it is a unique challenge for racing drivers. A large part of the original layout has been adapted to modern safety standards and is still used today, but the steep concrete curves can only be visited on foot. Many drivers and fans also combine their visit with a trip to the centre of Milan, about half an hour away, or to nearby Lake Garda.

Entries

Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who is already confirmed as the old and new champion of the BOSS GP F1 Class, will enter the races in Monza as the logical favourite for victory. His STR1 with the V10 Cosworth engine is the fastest car on the grid for Monza.

In the OPEN class, where adapted monoposto cars will be on the grid, Paul O’ Connell is expected to make an appearance. This time, the popular Irish racer will be driving a second Dallara World Series with a 4.5-liter engine, prepared by HS Engineering, in an attempt to stand up to ex-Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia (HS Engineering). The Brazilian has already been confirmed as champion of his class and will once again try to keep up with Gerstl’s Formula 1 car and offer the fans the best possible show.

This time, there is particularly great interest in the FORMULA class, where there are some newcomers: Juju Noda is one of them. The Japanese is the daughter of Hideki Noda, the former Formula 1 and IndyCar driver. On her way towards the top class, she uses the BOSS GP platform as an ideal training environment to familiarise herself with a big Formula racing car. To do so, the former W Series driver will climb into a 3.5-litre World Series of the Austrian team HS Engineering this weekend.

Juju Noda during a test session at the BOSS GP Show Run in Brno earlier this month

With Felix Grosse-Aschhoff and Michael Grosse-Aschhoff (both GER), two drivers from Asche Racing will join the grid in Monza. The international character of the BOSS GP Racing Series is also demonstrated by the entry of David Richert from Canada, who will compete for MM International from Italy. Richert has previously raced in the Formula Renault Eurocup and most recently competed in Formula 3. Now he is celebrating his debut in a GP2 Dallara.

In the duel for the championship title, however, two other drivers are in the spotlight: Once again it is Scuderia Palladio driver Marco Ghiotto (champion 2019, 2020, 2021) and Simone Colombo (champion 2022) who are battling it out at their home race. Colombo (MM International) could clinch the title already this weekend.

Five other Italians will be competing in Monza, including Robert Vanni and Walter Colacino (both Colacino Racing) in a Formula 3000 in the SUPER LIGHTS category. With Stefan Eisinger-Sewald (AUT, Red Rose Racing) in an older Ralt-F3000 and Jody Stadelmann (SUI, Team Stadelmann) in the rare Formula Nippon-Mugen, there are also two returnees in this class.

Timetable

Friday, 22 September
09:00–09:25          Free Practice 1
13:59–14:24          Free Practice 2

Saturday, 23 September
11:20–11:50          Qualifying (separated in two groups)
17:40–18:00          Race 1 (20 minutes/F1 Class 15 minutes)

Sunday, 24 September
11:20–11:45 Race 2 (25 minutes/F1 Class 15 minutes)

all times CEST

Tickets

During the entire race weekend, entry to the racetrack is free of charge. Almost all grandstands are open. Parking costs 15 euros per car and 5 euros per motorbike on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

More to watch

The BOSS GP Racing Series is the highlight of a packed motorsport programme at Monza. In addition to the GT3 cars of the International GT Open, the GT Cup, the Euroformula Open, the TCR Europe and the Porsche Carrera Cup France will be all racing this race weekend in Monza.

Photos: Robert Lösch, Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP, WF Racing

Debut for BOSS GP Show Run

At the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno on September 9 and 10, the BOSS GP Racing Series will showcase some of its most valuable racing cars.

For the first time, a BOSS GP event will not be contested for championship points. Instead, the focus in the Czech Republic is on the show. Formula 1 cars and F1-related Formula 1 single-seaters will be on track on Saturday and Sunday in six 15-minute sessions at the Automotodrom Brno.

The Wolf F1 WR7 by Rudolf Raml, which James Hunt, Keke Rosberg and Emerson Fittipaldi drove in 1979, will be on display. From the year 2001 is the Arrows A22, which was driven by Enrique Bernoldi and Jos Verstappen. Examples of modern cars are the green and yellow Lotus T127 (2010) driven by Thomas Jakoubek and the Toro Rosso STR1 (2006) driven by Ingo Gerstl.

These and other cars are also exhibited in the pits and can be seen during the pitwalk on Sunday at midday (12:15-12:45 p.m. CEST). The exhibits also include Michael Schumacher’s 1997 Ferrari and the Toro Rosso STR3 in which Sebastian Vettel celebrated his first victory.

Discover more on the event on www.automotodrombrno.cz/en/masaryk-racing-days-2023

Photo: Christian Sandler