Author: Keke Platzer

New Pirelli P Zero for BOSS GP

Posted on March 18, 2020 by - General

Matteo Braga from Pirelli with the 2020 BOSS GP tyre - Credit Michael Jurtin

Exclusively for drivers and teams of Europe’s most exciting racing series.

Pirelli presents a new dry tyre for the 2020 season in the BOSS GP series. This tyre is designed to help experienced drivers achieve faster lap times and make it easier for less experienced drivers to handle the “black gold”. Pirelli’s series consultant Thomas Hummer explains: “In order not to increase costs unnecessarily, we only use one tyre compound. This tyre has to work at five degrees in Hockenheim, but also at 38 degrees in Monza.”

The new slick tyre has been developed with the aim of maximising the temperature window where the tyre performs best. The P Zero 2020 absorbs the temperature faster and stores it longer than the previous tyre compound. This is to reduce the risk of spins when the tyres cool down, for example after safety car periods.

Unique: violet colour marking

The new P Zero BOSS GP can be identified from the outside by two indicators: One is the purple sidewall, the other the imprinted label “BGP”. As before, the Pirelli tyre works on Formula 1 cars as well as on Formula 2 cars (formerly GP2) and WSbR cars. The dimension 245/660 R13 is used at the front, at the rear axle 325/660 R13. The rain tyre Cinturato remains unchanged.

A Pirelli engineer checks the tyre pressure
Pirelli engineers support the teams with their know-how
Credit: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Support like in F1

The new tyre is exclusively for registered teams and drivers for races in the BOSS GP series. “Motorsports is in Pirelli’s DNA. Wherever we see passion, wherever we experience emotion, we must be at home – and we feel that in BOSS GP!”, says Hummer. The fitting will comply with Formula 1 standards and Pirelli engineers will be on site at all BOSS GP events. They advise the teams on the correct use of the tyres. Tyres can be ordered from BOSS GP partner “Reifen Hollerweger”.

All BOSS GP tyres are produced at the Pirelli Formula 1 factory in Romania. The Italian tyre manufacturer can draw on a wealth of experience in developing tyres to meet the high demands of motorsport: Pirelli is currently the supplier of the Formula 1 World Championship, the GT3 World Challenge and, from 2021, the World Rally Championship.

Title picture: Matteo Braga from Pirelli with the 2020 BOSS GP tyre
Credit: Michael Jurtin/BOSS GP

Season opener postponed

Posted on March 10, 2020 by - General

Unfortunately, the race weekend in Mugello planned for 27 to 29 March had to be cancelled.

According to a further decree of the Italian government, it is no longer possible to hold a sporting event of this size on the scheduled date. The reason for this are the security measures of the Italian government to prevent the spread of the corona virus.

The protection of participants, helpers and spectators has top priority for BOSS GP. In addition, freedom of travel is restricted in large parts of the world. That means fair competition, in which all drivers can travel to the race, is currently impossible.

BOSS GP and the race organisers Peroni try to arrange a substitute race later this year. Updates on this will be published on www.bossgp.com.

Therefore, the season of the Big Open Single Seater will start in Hockenheim as in previous years. The Jim Clark Revival will take place from April 24th to 26th with two races of BOSS GP.

The “Jag” is back!

Posted on March 4, 2020 by - General

Riccardo Ponzio brings a Jaguar Formula 1 onto the grid in 2020.

The 22-year-old Italian Riccardo Ponzio will compete in a Jaguar Formula 1 car for the full BOSS GP season in the OPEN class. The spectacular new project for the 2020 BOSS GP campaign was launched yesterday with an impressive presentation.

The car from 2002 is powered by a 750 hp Cosworth V10 engine. Eddie Irvine, who was the race driver at the time, was able to finish on the podium in Monza. Ponzio, who won the Italian Formula 3 in 2017, also has ambitious aims: “Nothing can really prepare you to drive a car with almost 1000 hp. But the first few kilometres showed me: I feel ready to make my debut.”

Ponzio and his Jaguar R3
Credit: Adriatica Competition

The project is set to run for two years. Ponzio and his Jaguar R3 will make their first appearance in BOSS GP 2020 at the season opener in Mugello from March 27 to 29.

Last call

Posted on February 26, 2020 by - General

Chris Höher looks on his race car

Drivers and teams can still register for a BOSS GP full season program until Friday, the 28th of February.

For those who have not yet registered for the 2020 BOSS GP season, now is the right time! The last day for the registration for all races and therefore a cheaper registration fee compared to single entries is next Friday, February 28, 2020.

However, interested drivers and team will have the option of registering as guest drivers for individual events after that date. Further information on registration and regulations can be requested from race coordinator Malin Strandberg: race@bossgp.com or +43 650 784 07 84

Huge interest in BOSS GP 2020

Posted on January 14, 2020 by - General

View outside of Ingo Gerstl's pit garage

Less than 80 days left until the first BOSS GP race in Mugello and already numerous drivers have registered for our 26th season.

The registration has only started at the beginning of January, and despite this, numerous drivers and teams have already registered for the 2020 season. The interest has rarely been as great as this year. We thank you all, who has already signed for the season!

The regulations of the spectacular racing series are very similar to those of 2019. Only the fastest monoposto racing cars of the past 20 years will be allowed to participate. Six race weekends with twelve races are scheduled for Europe’s fastest racing series this season. Starting in March with the return to Mugello, followed by the Jim Clark Revival at the Hockenheimring, Forza Fanatec in Misano, the Cuvee Sensorium Grand Prix in Assen, the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno and the Pirelli Grande Final in Imola in October.

Interested drivers and teams can request their entry form and further information from race coordinator Malin Strandberg: race@bossgp.com or +43 650 784 07 84

Tour plan 2020

Posted on December 13, 2019 by - General

Europe’s most exciting racing series visits six top-class racetracks in the upcoming season – two of them are new on the schedule.

The 26th season of BOSS GP begins with a premiere. The opening race of this spectacular motorsport series will take place at the end of March in Mugello. The MotoGP circuit is one of the most popular tracks in Italy and is owned by Ferrari. In 2020 the location will be back on the BOSS GP schedule after a five-year break. From 27 to 29 March, the comeback of the Big Open Single Seater series will be the highlight of the Peroni Racing Weekend.

From 24 to 26 April, the fastest racing cars on the continent will be guests at the Hockenheimring in Germany. The Bosch Hockenheim Historic is one of the most important classic racing events in Europe and attracts numerous spectators to the Motodrom year after year. In the program of the revival dedicated to Jim Clark, BOSS GP is a perfect headliner.

A completely new racetrack for the BOSS GP pilots will follow in June: The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is the venue for races 5 and 6 of the season. The flat track is technically demanding and an ideal playground for BOSS GP racing. The racetrack near Rimini is located directly on the Adriatic coast and can be easily combined with a holiday.

Fantastic crowd at the Gamma Race Days in Assen

In 2020 the BOSS GP series is again part of the Gamma Race Days in Assen. After the summer break in July, Formula 1, Formula 2 and other spectacular monoposto cars will show their strength from 7 to 9 August in front of an enormous crowd of 100,000 Dutch fans. In addition to BOSS GP, motorcycles, touring cars and superkarts will also be putting the pedal to the metal. Admission is free.

The first weekend of September (4–6) will see the Masaryk Racing Days in Brno on the schedule of the BOSS GP racing series. The biggest Czech circuit will be once again a thrilling location, which has delivered exciting BOSS GP races in the past.

The grand final will take place in Imola like in 2019. After a successful comeback with fantastic races and satisfied drivers, BOSS GP will return to the Emilia-Romagna region on 23, 24 and 25 October. We hope for another exciting title decision as in FORMULA class 2019.

Unique motorsport is guaranteed with BOSS GP in 2020

As usual there will be two free practice sessions, one qualifying session and two 20 to 25-minute races on each race weekend. The exact timetables and ticket information will be published on bossgp.com prior to the races.

Night of champions

Posted on December 10, 2019 by - General

BOSS GP tyre supplier Pirelli and champagne partner Cuvee Sensorium have invited to the 2019 BOSS GP awards ceremony in the Austrian Alps.

The anniversary season of BOSS GP ended with a festive event where teams and friends from Europe’s fastest racing series celebrated the 25th year of BOSS GP. This year, the prize giving ceremony took place in Maria Alm near Salzburg.

Modern architecture meets rustic alpine charm – that’s Tom Almhütte in Maria Alm

With specially decorated BOSS GP gondolas the guests were taken up to Toms Almhütte at 1166 metres above sea level. In addition to excellent champagne from BOSS GP partner Cuvee Sensorium, excellent Austrian cuisine was offered. After traditional cheese noodles, roast and Kaiserschmarrn, the three best from the two categories OPEN and FORMULA were honoured. The trophies were handed over by star guest and Elvis Tribute artist Rusty.

Thomas Hummer (on the picture) from Pirelli Austria presents the show together with Joi Regenstein from Cuvee Sensorium

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) from Austria received for the fifth time the champions trophy for winning the OPEN class. For the Frenchman “Piter” (Ray-Ban) it was a premiere at the award ceremony. This year he not only performed brilliantly on the dancefloor, he also took second place in OPEN standings.

OPEN champion Gerstl, like all other winners, gets a specially created champagne bottle in the BOSS GP edition of Cuvee Sensorium

Proud champion of the FORMULA category is Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio). In a season-long duel with fellow countryman Alessandro Bracalente (Speed Center) he finally won by a narrow margin. Ghiotto announced that he will bring more drivers into the series next year. Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) was presented with the trophy for third place.

The best pictures of the year printed on glass for all BOSS GP drivers

Furthermore, the champions Gerstl and Ghiotto received custom-made carbon helmets from Bell. All other BOSS GP drivers got a very special present too: The best photo of the year from each pilot was printed on glass, shown during the evening and handed over later.

The new season starts on March 28, 2020 in Mugello. Details on the further schedule will be published soon on bossgp.com

Goodbye of a BOSS GP hero

Posted on October 19, 2019 by - General

BOSS GP driver Armando Mangini retires, but remains with the series.

BOSS GP veteran Armando Mangini has announced his retirement from active racing at his home race in Imola. Mangini has been part of the BOSS GP family for nine consecutive years. The Italian contested a total of 72 races in Europe’s fastest racing series. A hand injury after a practice accident prevented races number 73 and 74 in Imola. Armando took it calmly: “I wanted to stop anyway.”

Monza 2018: Mangini on his way to the biggest sporting success of his long BOSS GP career

The Italian had his biggest sporting success last year in Monza. He won the Sunday race of the FORMULA class in his Dallara GP2 car. In a chaotic race he kept a cool head and drove to victory with constant lap times. These characteristics distinguished him for many years. Without making stupid mistakes, he drove the high-performance machines at a pace that challenged his often younger teammates.

Mangini (m.) with his friend and rival Walter Steding (l.) and his mechanic Mario (r.) at the farewell party

Mangini announced his plans at a farewell party at the Cuvée Sensorium victory ceremony in the BOSS GP hospitality. “Now it’s time to give the younger ones a chance.” As a farewell gift Armando gave his long-time competitors on the track and friends beside the racetrack bathrobes with personal imprints.

For next year, however, Mangini will remain in the BOSS GP as team manager. MM International is planning to have more than three cars at the start next season, according to Mangini. We wish him all the best – behind the pit wall and in his private life.

Report: Race 2 Imola

Posted on October 13, 2019 by - General

FORMULA title decision: Bracalente wins the race, Marco Ghiotto the championship.

How can it be better? The final decision for the championship title in the FORMULA class was made in the twelfth and last BOSS GP season race of 2019. Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) went into the race weekend with better chances. After Alessandro Bracalente’s (ITA, Speed Center) victory in Saturday’s race his lead reduced from 15 to 12 points. This means: Ghiotto had to be at least sixth today if Bracalente scores another victory in Sunday’s race.

Ghiotto already had a shock moment at the start of the warm-up lap when his red GP2 Dallara did not come off the spot. Lucky for Ghiotto: Because a second car also stopped, Ghiotto could line up again in the second row of the grid for the rolling start. The Scuderia Palladio was able to breathe a short sigh of relief.

The best start behind OPEN champion Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) had Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International), who almost caught Bracalente at the top. Ghiotto not only lost the place to Martucci, but also to Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Top Speed). However, Ghiotto overtook both again in the early stages and even managed to catch up with Bracalente with a couple of fast lap times. With second place he was fully on target for the title.

And it remained like that. Bracalente won the last race of the season and ended the year with an incredible result for a rookie: 5 victories, 10 podium places and only two retirements. In the end, one too many to defeat his fellow countryman Ghiotto, who also has a great score: 9 podium finishes and 2 victories, but only one DNF. After six exciting race weekends in Hockenheim, Spielberg, Monza, Assen, Brno and Imola, the new FORMULA champion Ghiotto and his opponent Bracalente finally separated by only nine points.

For the first time Marco Ghiotto is the champion of BOSS GP FORMULA class

Third place in the race went to Martucci, who fought again with de Plano until the middle of the race. De Plano finished fourth ahead of Andreas Fiedler, who secured third place in the championship with a damaged gearbox.

The best duel was delivered by Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center) and Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International), with a better end for the Frenchman. Until the last lap both were within striking distance of each other on the 4.9-kilometer course. Towards the end of the 25-minute race, Peter Göllner (SUI, Speed Center) also caught up with the two, but could no longer attack. He finished the season with a respectable eighth place. Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) finished ninth in the class. By the way good news for the championship: His Team Zig-Zag Motorsport Service announced that they would be competing in more than two races next year.

Overall winner of the race was Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who once again put the pedal to the medal today in his Toro Rosso STR1. Although his mechanics gave everything, Phil Stratford had to load his Benetton B197 into the van early due to a defect. Second in the OPEN class and new runner-up instead is “Piter” (FRA, Ray-Ban), whose team managed to repair a big oil leak just before race began.

Next up: The BOSS GP annual award ceremony will take place on 7 December in Salzburg.

Report: Race 1 Imola

Posted on October 12, 2019 by - General

Alessandro Bracalente reduces the gap to championship leader Ghiotto by winning his 4th race of the year.

Alessandro Bracalente (ITA, Speed Center) drove unchallenged to his fourth victory of the season in the FORMULA class. The BOSS GP rookie thus reduced the gap to Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) in the points standings from 15 to only 12 points. Now it is clear that the championship will be decided in the last race on Sunday. Ghiotto followed Bracalente throughout the race like a shadow. Only at the end of the race he lost the connection to Bracalente and the gap grow to an high of four seconds at the finish line.

Luca Martucci (ITA, MM International) showed an incredible pace at the finish. At the beginning of the race he dropped back to 9th place, but on the last lap he made it onto the podium. For Martucci it is his fifth visit on the podium in 2019. In a courageous last lap manoeuvre, he overtook Salvatore de Plano (ITA, Top Speed), who seems to have bad luck on his racing boots. For de Plano it was nevertheless the second-best result of the season and the highest finish since the Hockenheim season opener.

Andreas Fiedler (DEU, Fiedler Racing) was also involved in the fight for the podium at the opening stage of the race. In the end he finished fifth. He scored five championship points more than Philippe Haezebrouck (FRA, Speed Center), who finished seventh. Tomorrow Haezebrouck and Fiedler will fight for third place in the FORMULA ranking.

Marc Faggionato (MCO, Zig-Zag) could not set any time in qualifying because his car had not been repaired in time. That didn’t stop him from moving up to 6th place from last position on the grid. For several laps he battled with Haezebrouck for position.

Walter Steding (DEU, Inter Europol) was surprisingly in the top 6 at the beginning of the race, ahead of Martucci and Haezebrouck. With rank 8, he finished in good midfield this time.

Nicolas Matile (MCO, Zig-Zag) finished 9th with the only Auto GP Lola in the field. Peter Göllner won the internal team duel between him and Christian Eicke (both SUI, Speed Center).

Gianluca Ripoli (ITA, MM International) and Ulf Ehninger (DEU, ESBA Racing) had to retire early in the race. Because Ripoli stopped at the warm-up lap, he had to start at the back of the grid at the Indy start. He tried to improve his position in the first lap and collided with Ehninger’s Benetton in the Tosa hairpin.

The overall victory was again secured by Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed). Not surprisingly, the already crowned OPEN champion in his Toro Rosso dominated the eleventh race of the season.

The 12th and last race of the BOSS GP anniversary season will take place tomorrow Sunday at 2:10 p.m., before that at 10:30 a.m. is BOSS GP’s warm-up session.