Tag: BOSS GP

Stagione 2023 e Champions Night

BOSS GP 2023: 5 paesi – 7 eventi – 14 gare – 4 classi – 20 squadre – 40 piloti – 11 nazioni.

Sabato 25 novembre 2023 si è svolta la Champions Night della BOSS GP Racing Series di quest’anno. I partecipanti alla serie di corse più veloci d’Europa si sono incontrati nella meravigliosa atmosfera del ristorante M23 sul Mönchsberg, con una splendida vista sulla città di Salisburgo. Nel 29esimo anno della serie BOSS, le gare si sono svolte nell’arco di sette fine settimana in cinque paesi europei. Venti squadre partecipanti hanno schierato le loro vetture in quattro classi e hanno inviato agli eventi un totale di 40 piloti provenienti da 11 nazioni.

Nella BOSS GP F1 Class, la classe delle vetture di razza pura di Formula 1, l’austriaco Ingo Gerstl ha vinto ancora con la sua Toro Rosso STR1 Cosworth del Team Top-Speed. Si tratta dell’ottavo successo assoluto del nativo di Salisburgo, che lo rende l’unico vincitore del record nell’elenco dei successi della serie BOSS GP. L’artista e scultore di fama mondiale Jos Pirkner, ospite d’onore della serata a Mönchsberg e autore del leggendario design della vettura da corsa Toro Rosso di Formula 1, ha consegnato a Ingo Gerstl il trofeo per la vittoria assoluta del BOSS GP. Il tedesco Ulf Ehninger è arrivato secondo nella classe Formula 1 con la sua Benetton B197-F1 dell’ESBA-Racing davanti al francese Didier Sirgue dell’LRS Racing con la Jaguar R2-F1.

La classe BOSS GP OPEN è stata vinta dal brasiliano Antonio Pizzonia. L’ex pilota Williams e Jaguar di Formula 1 ha avuto successo a bordo della Dallara World Series V8-T12 del team austriaco HS Engineering supportato da ZELE Racing. Ciò significa che il simpatico brasiliano non solo è stato sempre in scia alla Toro Rosso di Ingo Gerstl, ma è anche salito sul gradino più alto del podio 13 volte nelle 14 gare della Open Class. Il secondo posto è andato al sempre allegro irlandese Paul O’Connell, la cui Dallara NME World Series è stata disputata anche da HS Engineering / ZELE Racing.

La classe BOSS GP FORMULA è stata la più popolata in termini di numeri e le vetture Dallara-Mecachrome 4.0 V8 GP2 hanno dominato ancora una volta. Nella classifica a punti della Classe FORMULA figurano complessivamente 29 piloti, di cui i primi tre posti vanno all’Italia. Particolarmente degno di nota è stato il duello al vertice, durato un anno, tra il futuro vincitore Simone Colombo della MM International e Marco Ghiotto della Scuderia Palladio / Team Nardi Compressori. Gli scontri tra questi due piloti sono stati duri, ma sempre molto onesti. Più volte solo pochi centimetri separavano i due al traguardo. Cecco Malavasi, anche lui della Scuderia Palladio, ha conquistato il terzo posto assoluto nella classe FORMULA davanti al miglior pilota tedesco, Andreas Fiedler del Fiedler Racing / Team Leonhart, che ha mancato il podio nella classifica generale per un solo punto. Molto forte in questa classe FORMULA è stato anche Marc Faggionato di Monaco su una vettura del team italiano MM International. Ha anche ottenuto una vittoria di classe al Paul Ricard all’inizio della stagione per poi salire sul podio più volte durante l’anno. Da segnalare anche l’austriaco Roland Rupprechter, che, come nuovo arrivato nella serie BOSS GP, appare nono su 29 piloti nella classifica a punti della FORMULA Class.

La vittoria nella classe BOSS GP SUPER LIGHTS va al tedesco Henry Clausnitzer del WF Racing su una Tatuus World Series V6. L’austriaco Stefan Eisinger-Sewald del Red Rose Racing, che ha sempre guidato con il massimo impegno, è arrivato secondo nella classe delle auto da corsa di cilindrata inferiore con la sua bellissima Ralt RT23-F3000. L’italiano Walter Colacino / W. Colacino Racing si è classificato terzo nella SUPER LIGHTS su una Lola T96/50-F3000.

Il prossimo anno 2024, la serie BOSS celebrerà 30 anni dalla sua fondazione da parte di Roger Cowman e dei suoi amici in Gran Bretagna. Ci sono sei fine settimana di gare nel calendario per la stagione dell’anniversario 2024, più due date in cui si svolgeranno gli spettacoli di F1.

Risultati completi 2023 BOSS GP Racing Series – tutte le classi
Foto NOTTE DEI CAMPIONI 2023

Text: SMW MEDIA
Fotos: Angelo Poletto/BOSS GP

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

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

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

Register now for the Grande Finale

BOSS GP extends the summer with the grand finale of the championship season at Mugello from October 6-8, 2023.

For some competitors, a better ranking in the championship is still at stake, while others want to end the season with a strong sense of achievement. The ideal opportunity to do so and take a ride in their Big Open Single Seater is already in two weeks in Tuscany. The Formula 1 and MotoGP circuit at Mugello will be the venue for two free practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and race 1 on Saturday and a second race on Sunday. This means that a total of over two hours of track time will be available for the BOSS GP Racing Series as part of the PNK Motorsport Racing Weekend.

Anyone wishing to take part in the seventh and final event of the championship season can still register: Registration is open up to and including September 25, 2023. Interested teams and drivers can find all the necessary documents on the website under For Teams.

Photo: Angelo Poletto

Report: Races Assen

Once again, the event in Assen was a motorsport festival for both participants and spectators.

Tens of thousands of fans in the grandstands at the TT Circuit in Assen (Netherlands), saw Europe’s fastest racing series in action at Jack’s Racing Day. A huge show program surrounded the practice sessions and races of the BOSS GP Racing Series this Saturday and Sunday. Among others, former Formula 1 driver Nyck de Vries hit the track in a World Series car of BOSS GP team HS Engineering. Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) also made headlines, smashing both the track record and the official lap record (set in the race). With 1:15.861, the Austrian lapped the current MotoGP track in his Toro Rosso STR1 Formula 1 car faster than anyone before.

The Dutch Formula E World Champion Nyck de Vries in the HS racing car

The results

The fifth race weekend of this season produced four double winners: Ingo Gerstl (BOSS GP F1 Class), Antonio Pizzonia (OPEN), Simone Colombo (FORMULA) and Henry Clausnitzer (SUPER LIGHTS) secured both race wins in their classes. For Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering) and Clausnitzer (GER, WF Racing) these successes also mean the premature win of the championship. The duel of the weekend saw again Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio) battling for victory in the FORMULA class. These two GP2 drivers were once again split by just a few tenths of a second. There were also celebrations for Simon Jackermeier (GER, Top Speed), who was on the podium for the first time in race 2. In Race 1, Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio) was invited onto the winner’s photo, showing with third place on his return that he has lost none of his speed.

Podium of race 2: f.l. Ghiotto, Colombo, Pizzonia, Gerstl, Clausnitzer, S. Jackermeier

Next up for the BOSS GP Racing Series is Brno on September 9-10, where there will be the premiere of the BOSS GP Show Runs. Next points will be awarded in Monza again, where the engines will be fired up from September 22-24.

Photos: SMW MEDIA, WF Racing

Preview: Assen

At Jack’s Racing Day, Europe’s fastest racing series will make its comeback on 12 and 13 August at the traditional TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.

It is the largest combined car, motocycle and kart event in Europe. Finally, the BOSS GP Racing Series is taking part again. Among them is Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed) with his Toro Rosso STR1, one of the last ten-cylinder cars in Formula 1 history. With Antonio Pizzonia (BRA, HS Engineering), a famous driver with F1 past is also at the start in a World Series V8 4.5 car in the OPEN class. The favourites for victory in the FORMULA class are Simone Colombo (ITA, MM International) and Marco Ghiotto (ITA, Scuderia Palladio), who will continue their duel in the Netherlands. Also keep an eye on the father-son duel Thomas versus Simon Jackermeier (both GER, Top Speed) in the Fanatec GP2s. Walter Steding (GER, Scuderia Palladio), who was active in BOSS GP for many years and only contested a full season for the last time last year, will celebrate his return. In the SUPER LIGHTS, Henry Clausnitzer (GER, WF Racing) will once again try to take home the full points.

Due to the somewhat unfortunate August date, there are slightly fewer cars than usual at the start of our only race in the Netherlands. However, a visit to the paddock and the pits of the BOSS GP is worthwhile, where more legendary vehicles are on display and the teams can be seen working on their vehicles.

Timetable

Update: 11/08/2023, 12:00

Saturday, 12 August 2023
09:44–10:14          Free Practice 1
13:41–14:11 Free Practice 2
16:43–17:13          Qualifying (two groups)

Sunday, 13 August 2023
10:19–10:39          Race 1 (20 minutes)
14:58–15:18          Race 2 (20 minutes)

all times CEST

Tickets

Tens of thousands of spectators are expected. They can all be there free of charge. Only access to the paddock requires an additional ticket. This costs 45 euros for the whole weekend, otherwise 15 euro for Friday and 25 euro each for Saturday and Sunday. Online reservation is recommended: www.jacksracingday.nl/tickets

Support events

In addition to BOSS GP, the following racing series can be seen: Supercar Challenge, BeNeLux Superbike and Supersport, Dutch GP Superkarts, Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup, Mazda MX-5 Cup. On top of that, there will be numerous star guests such as Nyck de Vries, demo runs such as those of the Rodin FZED, F1 two-seater runs and the possibility of helicopter tours.

Photo: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Enter Assen race now

On August 12 and 13, the next highlight of this season awaits the participants of the BOSS GP Racing Series. The Jack’s Racing Day at TT Circuit Assen is one of the biggest motorsport events in Europe with a unique mix of car, motorbike and superkart racing, stunts and demonstrations. BOSS GP is one of the main attractions of the event!

If you want to take part in the race in the Netherlands, you have to be fast: Registration is open until 28 July 2023. Interested teams and drivers can find all the necessary documents under For Teams.