Tag: Rinus van Kalmthout

BOSS GP 2018 in numbers

Posted on December 12, 2018 by - General

Beautiful trophies for the BOSS GP winners 2018

The BOSS GP celebrated its champions 2018 last weekend at the Lisa Alm in Flachau (Austria). At the end of the year, bossgp.com presents a review in figures of one of the most varied BOSS GP years ever.

WINS:
The FORMULA class was as mixed as never before: Nine different winners in 13 races is an absolute record. Two victories each went to Johann Ledermair (Ledermair, GP2 Dallara), Roy Glaser (Speed Center, GP2 Dallara) and Marc Faggionato (Zig-Zac, GP2 Dallara). Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed, GP2 Dallara) also clinched two race victories and consequently enough for the championship title. Marco Ghiotto, Armando Mangini, Andreas Fiedler, Alain Valente and Salvatore De Plano each won one race. For Ghiotto, Mangini, Fiedler and Valente it was their first victory in BOSS GP.

In the OPEN class, things were clearer: 12 victories for Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed, Toro Rosso). Only once was the champion beaten after a starting collision: In Monza Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing, Super Aguri) was the lucky winner.

v.l. OPEN-Meister Ingo Gerstl, Vertreterin für Wolfgang Jaksch (2. OPEN), Andreas Fielder (2. FORMULA), FORMULA-Meister Florian Schnitzenbaumer, Christian Eicke (3. FORMULA)

f.l. OPEN champion Ingo Gerstl, representative for Wolfgang Jaksch (2nd OPEN), Andreas Fielder (2nd FORMULA), FORMULA champion Florian Schnitzenbaumer and Christian Eicke (3rd FORMULA)

 

PODIUMS:
In the OPEN class, Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed, Toro Rosso) with 12 and Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom, Benetton) with 11 visits were regular guests on the podium. Other trophy collectors: Wolfgang Jaksch (5), Hans Laub (2), Rinus van Kalmthout (1).

In the FORMULA Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed, GP2 Dallara) from Germany secured the title with consistency, which is also proven by a look at the podium statistics. No one was as frequent, namely seven times in the top 3. Armando Mangini (MM International, GP2 Dallara), Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler, GP2 Dallara) and Peter Göllner (Speed Center, GP2 Dallara) were each allowed to attend the awards ceremony four times. The other drivers on a BOSS GP podium 2018: Marco Ghiotto, Salvatore De Plano (each 3 times), Johann Ledermair, Roy Glaser, Marc Faggionato (each 2 times); Bianca Steiner, Reinhard Kofler, David Moretti, Bernd Herndlhofer, Veronika Cicha, Alain Valente, Luca Martucci (each 1 time).

Der Mann des Jahres in der FORMULA: Florian Schnitzenbaumer (r.) mit seiner Freundin bei der Abschlussveranstaltung auf der Lisa Alm

Man of the year in FORMULA class: The German Florian Schnitzenbaumer (r.) with his girlfriend at the award ceremony in Flachau

 

FASTEST LAPS:
Roy Glaser (Speed Center, Dallara GP2) took the fastest lap three times with only three starts (Assen and Hockenheim II). The Swiss plans to start more often next year. The rivals should have him on its toes. Other winners of the fastest laps in the 2018 season: Marco Ghiotto, Florian Schnitzenbaumer, Johann Ledermair (2 times each); Marc Faggionato, Alain Valente, Luca Martucci (1 time each).

In the OPEN Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed, Toro Rosso) dominated with 12 fastest laps, only once (in Monza) Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell, GP2 Judd) was quicker.

Thomas Hummer vom Reifenausstatter Pirelli mit Phil Stratford (2. OPEN) als Pappfigur

Thomas Hummer from Pirelli with a cardboard standup of the prevented US-American Phil Stratford (2nd OPEN)

 

POLE POSITIONS:
At all 13 races of the season Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed, Toro Rosso) led the field to the flying start.

In the FORMULA class only Salvatore De Plano (MM International & Top Speed, GP2 Dallara) had the honour to lead the field to the starting line more than twice. The other fastest qualifiers: Johann Ledermair, Marco Ghiotto, Bernd Herndlhofer, Roy Glaser, Luca Martucci (1 time each).

The 2019 season starts on April, 27 in Hockenheim, Germany. All dates on www.bossgp.com/races

 

Pictures: BOSS GP

Report: Race 1 Monza

Posted on June 30, 2018 by - General

Monza got to see a lot of BOSS GP action: Ingo Gerstl in his Toro Rosso and Phil Stratford in the Benetton had a long duel for victory. And the FORMULA was not only hot because of the temperatures, the winner was an Italian: Marco Ghiotto.

The start was spectacular, sometimes four cars were racing side by side. Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition), Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) and Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing) got the best start from the rear. The first neutralization (yellow flags and no overtaking on the full course) was provided by David Moretti (Griffith’s), who got stuck after only one lap on one of the yellow speed bumps off the course.

At the restart, there were duels for the lead in the OPEN and FORMULA classes. Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was unusually behind Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) during the first laps. The US-American in the Benetton collected his first leadership kilometers this year. But halfway through the race he could no longer resist. The Austrian Gerstl speeded up and overtook Stratford on the long start-finish straight, just before braking into the first chicane. Gerstl finished the race about one second ahead of Stratford.


f.l. Phil Stratford and Phil Stratford; Marco Ghiotto and Andreas Fiedler

Marco Ghiotto, who started as third (and first of the FORMULA class) lost the lead after the restart briefly to Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing), who had reacted earlier to the Green Flags. Fiedler couldn’t stay in front of Ghiotto. During his overtaking manoeuvre Fiedler had to avoid the run-out zone, but second place in the FORMULA classification means another podium place for the German. Ghiotto (in the ex-car of Charles Leclerc) sensationally won his class at his comeback after three years of racing abstinence.

There almost was an Italian double victory at the home race. Armando Mangini (MM International) started into the 20-minute race from 6th place. In the initial phase, Mangini lost a few places, but gradually moved up to second place in the FORMULA. However, a spin ended his race prematurely. Behind Ghiotto were Andreas Fiedler and Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed), who finished a session for the first time this weekend without any major incidents.

Shortly before the end, Full Course Yellow was proclaimed once again when Walter Steding sunk his good position in the gravel bed of the Lesmo curves. The placings did not change afterwards:

OPEN:

  1. Ingo GERSTL (AUT) Toro Rosso STR1 Cosworth 12 Laps
  2. Phil Stratford (USA) Benetton F1 B197 Judd + 1.029 sec

Fastest lap: Ingo GERSTL – 1:34.891 min

FORMULA:

  1. Marco GHIOTTO (ITA) Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 12 Laps
  2. Andreas FIEDLER (DEU) Dallara GP2 Mecachrome + 1.337 sec
  3. Florian SCHNITZENBAUMER (DEU) Dallara GP2 Mecachrome + 3.327 sec

Fastest lap: Marco GHIOTTO – 1:38.677 min


f.l. Veronica Cicha and Christian Eicke; Wolfgang Jordan

The first of two races started under hot conditions. The program had been postponed due to various events in the other races. Shortly before the race the starting grid changed once again when the race commissioners pronounced three grid penalties: Florian Schnitzenbaumer, Karl Heinz Becker and Wolfgang Jordan were moved back five places in the starting grid for driving too fast in the pit lane or crossing the white line at the end of the pit lane.

Even before the start Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) withdrew. On the way to the pre-start, his Dallara-Judd stopped after a few hundred meters. This means that the 17-year-old Dutchman, who travels full-time in the US Pro Mazda Series, was already out before the start.

Not much better was Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing), who tried to start from the pits with the Super Aguri F1 car, but once again did not come to the hoped-for race. Also his companion Veronica Cicha (H&A Racing) had to return to the pits after only two laps – also the Czech could not resume the race.

Race two starts tomorrow at 11:30. A live stream is available at www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGyIwwZJAmA7AjO9DEQt6Q

Quotes after the race:
Ingo Gerstl: “It was nice to ride next to Phil (Stratford, note). In the fast Parabolica corner I had a nervous car towards the end of the race, the rear slipped quite a bit. Too bad Wolfgang Jaksch didn’t start.”

Marco Ghiotto: “I thought I could ride in the front. But it was the first time I’d driven in three years. For family reasons, I had to take such a long break. This car is a really good car. The restarts weren’t fair, the cars behind me in Full Course Yellow came to close.”

 

Photos: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Report: Qualifying Monza

Posted on June 30, 2018 by - General

Ingo Gerstl (Toro Rosso STR1) starts the races in Monza ahead of Rinus van Kalmthout (GP2 Dallara Judd) and Phil Stratford (Benetton B197). Best Italian: Marco Ghiotto (GP2 Dallara) in 4th place.

With 1:26.6 min the Austrian Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was over three seconds faster than the quickest time in qualifying 2016. The average speed in the fastest lap was over 240 kilometers per hour. The measured top speed was over 340 kph at the end of the start-finish straight. Gerstl in his Toro Rosso STR1 is by far the favourite for the race victory in the afternoon race (start: 4:40 pm).

Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing), who started in qualifying session 1, only set one lap, and this at the end of the session, which was only eight minutes long. Rinus van Kalmthout, who did not start until Q2, snatched the American just before the end of the session from the front row. The 17-year-old Dutchman in the GP2-Dallara with Judd engine was faster than Stratford, especially in the first sector. The time gap of only two tenths of a second means that Mansell Motorsport’s team-mates can expect a hot race.


f.l. Ingo Gerstl, Marco Ghiotto

With an outside temperature of almost 30 degrees centigrade already in the morning hours, the Italian Marco Ghiotto felt very comfortable. In front of many friends and guests he qualified as the best FORMULA pilot. With rank 4 he is also one place ahead of Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing). The Super Aguri of the German was repaired yesterday after the practice accident (damage to the front suspension and front wing). With 1:36.3 min he set his personal best time this weekend.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) provided the only Full Course Yellow. The German stopped beside the track after a driving mistake. He was fourth fastest FORMULA driver behind Ghiotto, Armando Mangini and David Moretti. He was closely followed by Andreas Fiedler (Fiedler Racing), who lost only three tenths to the points leader in his green Dallara. Walter Steding did well at his fourth appearance in Monza. He finished 10th, ahead of BOSS GP returner Wolfgang Jordan, Karl-Heinz Becker and Veronica Cicha. Christian Eicke (Speed Center) complained about the interruptions in practice yesterday, in qualifying he could complete at least 11 (and thus most) laps. With 1:42.7 min he is close to the midfield. The Frenchman “Piter” (Ray-Ban), who also had his best time of the weekend in qualifying, showed a significant improvement.

 
f.l. Veronica Cicha, David Moretti

Hans Laub‘s Forti stayed in the pits today, the German from Speed Center assists Christian Eicke as a mechanic for the rest of the weekend. We will see the popular Formula 1 racing car again in Hockenheim. Thomas Jakoubek is also thinking about Hockenheim. The Top Speed driver had injured his ribs during an race kart event just before the weekend and is resting for the highlight of the season.

Photos: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

Report: Free Practice Monza

Posted on June 29, 2018 by - General

Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) was in front at the first probing of the track. Red flags interrupted the two training sessions on Friday several times.

 
f.l. Armando Mangini, Rinus van Kalmthout, Wolfgang Jaksch, David Moretti, Wolfgang Jordan

OPEN
Ingo Gerstl set the best time of today in the second of the two practice sessions, with 1:28.5 min the reigning champion easily undercut the 1:30 mark. In the second free practice session Gerstl had only completed three laps, but he was once again the quickest – so the Top Speed driver will be the favourite for tomorrow’s qualifying (10:35 a.m.).

After the gearbox damage and early departure from the Red Bull Ring, Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) is back in BOSS GP. The American set the second fastest time twice with his Benetton Formula 1. In the first practice he stranded in Lesmo 1, a right turn in the middle section of the track, in the gravel bed and had to be towed away.

Wolfgang Jaksch (F Xtreme Racing) was able to complete many laps, at least in the first practice session. After the Super Aguri was made fit again after Hockenheim, every kilometre was important for the German. In the second practice he spun into the safety barrier at the exit of the second chicane – whether for technical reasons or a driving error has not yet been clarified.

Hans Laub (Speed Center) last-minutely choose his 1996 Formula 1 instead of a World Series car: The green and white Forti is one of the favourites of the fans.

Rinus van Kalmthout in the tuned GP2 with a V8 Judd engine was on the road without a transponder, so there are no times yet for the young Dutchman.


f.l. Florian Schnitzenbaumer, “Piter”, David Moretti

FORMULA
With 1:38,490 min Marco Ghiotto has positioned himself as the fastest FORMULA pilot at his first BOSS GP start in 2018. The Italian will be fourth overall on this training day and qualified for Q1 tomorrow. With him, a second Italian qualified for the first Qualifying: Armando Mangini from MM International.

By two tenths of a second Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) missed Q1. The German leader of the standings had slips in both training sessions, and is only ranked 6th overall on the timesheet. David Moretti, who was also be at a high level with 1:41 min, can be a dark horse tomorrow. The Italian lost more training time in the second practice session, the Lotus-coloured Dallara slipped off the track. Andreas Fiedler, Walter Steding, Christian Eicke and Wolfgang Jordan came through the training inconspicuously. The oldest participant in the field, Karl-Heinz Becker, was also in midfield. Thomas Jakoubek, Veronica Cicha and Monza newcomer “Piter” joined the ranks.

The qualifying will start tomorrow at 10:35 a.m. and is divided into two groups. The first five of today’s training day may go to the race track in the first 10 minutes, after that the remaining 12 drivers.

Pictures: Michael Kavena/BOSS GP

OPEN class: Van Kalmthout wins last season race

Posted on October 1, 2017 by - General

Van Kalmthout wins last season race 2017 in the OPEN class.

Heavy change of the weather conditions im Imola over night lead to another exciting race on Sunday morning. The last race of the BOSS GP season 2017 brought another face on the P1 than Ingo Gerstls – young Dutch Rinus van Kalmthout won his second podium of the season.

Just two OPEN class drivers were left in the start grid of the BOSS GP season final: Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) and Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing). Ingo Gerstl, who actually had secured his Championship title 2017 already a couple of races ago, stepped back from the race and didn’t compete. “There are technical issues related to these weather conditions. I don’t wanna risk driving the race without the necessary technical tests”, Gerstl told us.

So it was a free lane for van Kalmthout. And the young Dutch did very well, driving his sixth race in his BOSS GP debut season in Imola. Van Kalmthout left no doubt about his sovereignty and aimed a start-finish-victory. “It was a good race and a good weekend, I really like the track here in Imola”, van Kalmthout said after the podium ceremony. “I’ve never driven that car before in rain, so it felt different and much slower. So I gained a lot of experience this weeekend, which is good for the future.”

Phil Stratford drove a souveign rain-race as well and even managed to overtake FORMULA class driver Florian Schnitzebaumer after lap 3. The gap between van Kalmthout and Stratford indeed was 1:22,972 min, so P1 for the Dutch was never questioned.

Final of the season 2017.

 

Finally Ingo Gerstl defended the BOSS GP Championship 2017 more than successful with eight P1 out of nine races and 200 points in total. A victory, that was never questioned. Runner up – in his first BOSS GP season and making his debut in this car – is Rinus van Kalmthout with a total of 116 points. He is followed from third ranked Phil Stratford with a total of 111 points. Find the full standings of the whole grid on our ranking table.

Results of race 2 of OPEN class at “Peroni Race Weekend”:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Time Fastest lap (min) In Gap Laps km/h
1 11 Rinus van Kalmthout NED Mansell Motorsport Dallara GP2 Evo 25:59,057 1:44,209 8 13
2 7 Phil Stratford USA Penn Elcom Racing Bennton B197 F1 27:22,029 1:50,717 12 1:22,972 13
3 1 Ingo Gerstl AUT Top Speed Toro Rosso STR1 F1

MORE:

Picture gallery of Imola 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/imola-boss-gp-superprix

Schedule Imola 2017: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-peroni-race-weekend-in-imola-ita

OPEN class: Race 1 in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-clear-win-for-gerstl-in-imola

OPEN class: Qualifyfing in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-chasing-new-track-record-again

OPEN class: Second free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-van-kalmthout-improves-time

OPEN class: First free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-set-the-speed-at-first-free-training

OPEN class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

01/10/2017

OPEN class: Clear win for Gerstl in Imola

Posted on September 30, 2017 by - General

Podium ceremony of OPEN class in Imola 2017.

It was a well known picture at the end of the race in the OPEN class: Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) on top of the grid. The Austrian was followed by Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) and Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing). 

A great performance during Qualifying in the morning made us think, the leader of the OPEN class and designated Champion of the 2017 season, Ingo Gerstl, would chase a new track record in Imola. With a great lap time of 1:21,703 min the Austrian came close to the current track record of 1:20,411. However, starting from pole position Gerstl drove a start-finish-victory – not for the first time this season – on the legendary track in Imola. He didn’t repeat his super fast laps from Qualifying. But with a gap of 17,270 sec of the second ranked Rinus van Kalmthout it was a sovereign race for the experienced Top Speed driver.

“The race went well. I am super happy with the great lap time, I raced in Qualifying”, Gerstl explained after the race. About van Kalmthout, who drove to P2, Gerstl said: “He drove a great race. One can see – he knows, how to drive. He’s not a sleeping pill.”

Van Kalmthout, starting from position 2 of the overall start grid, showed a souvereign race as well, despite quite a gap to leading Ingo Gerstl. His P2 was never challenged. Phil Stratford as third OPEN class driver finished the race on overall position 5, what meant P3 in his class for him. The American as well drove a souvereign race, starting from position 5 and finishing on position 5 as well.

 

Rinus van Kalmthout on track in Imola 2017.

Rinus van Kalmthout on track in Imola 2017.

 

On Sunday drivers will go on track for the very last season race. The final will start at 11:00 a.m. Find our live coverage and updates not only on our website, but also on our social media channels:

www.facebook.com/bossgp2010

www.instagram.com/bossgp2010

www.twitter.com/bossgp2010

 

Results of race 2 of OPEN class at “Peroni Race Weekend”:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Time Fastest lap (min) In Gap Laps km/h
1 1 Ingo Gerstl AUT Top Speed Toro Rosso STR1 F1  20:44,446 1:27,068  4 14 312,7
2 11 Rinus van Kalmthout NED Mansell Motorsport Dallara GP2 Evo  21:02,166 1:28,027 4 17,720 14 309,1
3 7 Phil Stratford USA Penn Elcom Racing Bennton B197 F1  22:43,452 1:31,626 4 1:41,286 14 306,5

MORE:

Picture gallery of Imola 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/imola-boss-gp-superprix

Schedule Imola 2017: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-peroni-race-weekend-in-imola-ita

OPEN class: Qualifyfing in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-chasing-new-track-record-again

OPEN class: Second free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-van-kalmthout-improves-time

OPEN class: First free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-set-the-speed-at-first-free-training

OPEN class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

30/09/2017

OPEN class: Gerstl chasing new track record again?

Posted on September 30, 2017 by - General

Ingo Gerstl on track in Imola 2017.

It was a well known picture, when Qualifying was finished: Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) on top of the grid. The Austrian was followed by Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport) and Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing). 

Is Gerstl aiming for the next track record? After setting up a new best lap time on the track in Brno three weeks ago at the “Masaryk Racing Days”, the Austrian showed some super fast laps on the track in Imola as well. With his best lap in 1:21,703 min he improved his time from practice session significantly (1:23,168). Current track record is set with 1:20,411  – it will be exciting to see, whether Gerstl can improve his speed furthermore and come close to the lap record in afternoon’s race (start: 3:40 p.m.). Definitely Gerstl will start the race from pole position.

Gerstl was followed by Rinus van Kalmthout. The young Dutch showed a great performance in his Dallara GP2 Evo as well and performed his best lap in 1:27,270, which means further improvement from the practice session. With not only the second best time in Qualifying, but also second best time of the overall grid (FORMULA and OPEN class), van Kalmthout will start from position 2 into the race on afternoon.

 

Rinus van Kalmthout during Qualifying on track in Imola 2017.

Rinus van Kalmthout during Qualifying on track in Imola 2017.

 

The OPEN class driver trio was completed by Phil Stratford. The American performed his best lap in 1:32,213, which means position 5 of the overall start grid. Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed) as well as Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport, both FORMULA class) performed faster laps than the OPEN class driver. So it is start position 5 at the first race of the weekend in Imola for Stratford.

Phil Stratford on track in Imola during Qualifying in Imola 2017.

Phil Stratford on track in Imola during Qualifying in Imola 2017.

 

Drivers and crews now look forward to the first race of the weekend, which will start at 3:40 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Results of second free practice of OPEN class at “Peroni Race Weekend”:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) Gap Laps km/h
1 1 Ingo Gerstl AUT Top Speed Toro Rosso STR1 F1 1:21,703 6 318,2
2 11 Rinus van Kalmthout NED Mansell Motorsport Dallara GP2 Evo 1:27,270 5,567 5 305,6
3 7 Phil Stratford USA Penn Elcom Racing Bennton B197 F1 1:32,213 10,510 3 299,7

MORE:

Picture gallery of Imola 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/imola-boss-gp-superprix

Schedule Imola 2017: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-peroni-race-weekend-in-imola-ita

OPEN class: Second free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-van-kalmthout-improves-time

OPEN class: First free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-set-the-speed-at-first-free-training

OPEN class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

30/09/2017

OPEN class: Van Kalmthout improves time

Posted on September 29, 2017 by - General

Second free practice in Imola 2017.

Just two OPEN class drivers entered the track for the second free practice session on the circuit in Imola on Friday afternoon. Ingo Gerstl stayed in the box, but will start at the Qualifying on Saturday. Weather conditions fit well in the afternoon again: 22°, sun, no clouds and no rain.

Both BOSS GP classes – OPEN and FORMULA class – went on track together for the practice session. Due to two spin offs of the track by FORMULA class drivers, to red flag phases cooled the speed of the grid down in the beginning of the session. But once, the track was released for all drivers again, Rinus van Kalmthout killed the asphalt in Imola.

With his best lap in 1:28,455 min the Dutch not only performed the best lap time of the overall grid. He improved his time from morning session for almost a second (1:29,027). Van Kalmthout was followed by Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing), who performed his best lap in 1:32,313 min. The American drove a slower time than in first free practice of the day. But he will definitely go faster at the Qualifying on Saturday morning.

 

Second free practice in Imola 2017.

Second free practice in Imola 2017.

 

Next step of the race weekend is the Qualifying, which will start at 10:05 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Results of second free practice of OPEN class at “Peroni Race Weekend”:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Fastest lap (min) Gap Laps km/h
1 11 Rinus van Kalmthout NED Mansell Motorsport Dallara GP2 Evo 1:28,455 10 309,1
2 7 Phil Stratford USA Penn Elcom Racing Bennton B197 F1 1:32,313 3,858 11 305,6

MORE:

Picture gallery of Imola 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/imola-boss-gp-superprix

Schedule Imola 2017: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-peroni-race-weekend-in-imola-ita

OPEN class: First free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-gerstl-set-the-speed-at-first-free-training

OPEN class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/open-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set

FORMULA class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

29/09/2017

OPEN class: Start list for BOSS GP Superprix in Imola (ITA) is set

Posted on September 27, 2017 by - General

Masaryk Racing Days in Brno 2017.

The final races of the BOSS GP Championship season 2017 will take place on the weekend of 30th of September and 1st of October. The circuit in Imola (ITA) and the BOSS GP Superprix is waiting for the BOSS GP crews. The start list for the event in Italy is now set. 

14 drivers in total (FORMULA and OPEN class) signed up for the event in Imola. Fans and specatators can look forward to some interesting and exciting duels on track. Three drivers will compete in the OPEN class. And we will see three well known faces on the track for season races 13 and 14. Current leader of the OPEN class with a total of 175 points, Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed), leads the grid. Back on track will be Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing). The US-American raced in Hockenheim (GER) in April at season kick off and in Zolder (BEL) in July. For the final stage of the season he will be with the BOSS GP team again. Stratford is current ranked on position 3 of the overall standing of the OPEN class with 69 points. Also back on track: Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport), ranked on position 4 of the OPEN class as well with 69 points. The dutch youngster had a great debut at the BOSS GP series in Zandvoort (NED) at the “Jumbo Racing Days” in May and showed a great performance as well on track in Paul Ricard (FRA) one month later in June. Can they stop leading Ingo Gerstl

This is the start list for the OPEN class at the “BOSS GP Superprix” in Imola (ITA):

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make Type
1 Ingo Gerstl Top Speed AUT Toro Rosso STR 1 F1
7 Phil Stratford Penn Elcom Racing USA Benetton B197 F1
11 Rinus van Kalmthout Mansell Motorsport NED Dallara GP2 Evo

BOSS GP is competing at seven different European venues in 2017, holding 14 races in total. Hockenheim (GER) in April, Zandvoort (NED) in May, Paul Picard (FRA) in June, Zolder (BEL) in July, Assen (NED) in August and Brno (CZE) are done. The race weekend in Imola with season races 13 and 14 are the final stage for this years Championship season.

MORE:

Find detailed statistics of current standings here: bossgp.com/standings/

Find all informations about the Circuit in Imola on this website: www.autodromoimola.it

26/09/2017

OPEN class: First ever P1 for Phil Stratford in BOSS GPs OPEN class

Posted on July 16, 2017 by - General

Podium of race 2 at Zolder 2017.

What a crazy race again. As on Saturday finally there was just one driver at the OPEN class finishing the race on the track of Zolder. But – luckily – for Stratford that meant his first ever P1 in his personal five years history of BOSS GP.

Both drivers, who took part at the races in Zolder in the OPEN class, were leading the start grid of the second race of the weekend. Klaas Zwart (NED, Team Ascari) on pole position with his Jaguar R5 Cosworth 3.0 V10, followed by Phil Stratford (USA, Penn Elcom Racing) with his Benetton B197 Judd 4.0 V10 on position 2.

Zwart again was dominant right from the beginning of the race, leading the grid with a significant gap to the second ranked Stratford; despite following a safety car phase for the first three laps after a spin off the track in lap 1 by Wolfgang Jordan (GER, HA Racing, Dallara GP2 Me cachrome 4.0 V8).

 

Klaas Zwart (r.) leading the grid for the first rounds at race 2 (Zolder 2017).

Klaas Zwart (r.) leading the grid for eight rounds at race 2, before leaving the track due to tyre problems (Zolder 2017).

 

Due to problems with his front tyres, Zwart had to leave the track in lap 8 and didnt’t return. His best lap time so far was a 1:16,254 min. This record stayed the overall best lap time of the race. So it was Phil Stratford, who took the lead in lap eight and kept it until crossing the finish line in lap 17.

The American was more than pleased after winning the race and didn’t forget, to “thank first of all my amazing team, who did a great job the whole weekend. It was a long night, fixing the problems, which occured during Saturdays race. My team was awesome. Winning the race and my first ever P1 at the BOSS GP wouldn’t have been possible without their effort.” It was no easy race for Stratford anyway: “It was a though start with the safety car in front of us for the first laps, keeping tyre and brake temperatures. But everything worked out well and it was a great race then.” For the first time in his personal BOSS GP history Stratford led the grid, after Zwart stepped out the race: “I remember finishing my very first BOSS GP race in 2012 on P22; I ended up last of the grid. Winning todays race and winning my first ever P1 at BOSS GP is a great feeling and I feel very, very happy. It has been an amazing journey over the last years”, Stratford was smiling widely after the podium ceremony.

 

Phil Stratford and his team in Zolder 2017.

Phil Stratford and his team in Zolder 2017.

 

Looking at the overall Championship 2017 ranking of the OPEN class, Stratford moved on to the second rank, equally with Rinus van Kalmthout, both having 69 points. Four season races, three podiums – quite a good season balance so far for the American. Still leading the OPEN class is reigning champion Ingo Gerstl (AUT, Top Speed), who didn’t attend the “Zolder Superprix”. Nevertheless the Austrian has a comfortable advantage with a total of 100 points over the second ranked Stratford and van Kalmthout with their 69 points.

Overall results of race 2 in Zolder 2017:

 

Results of race in Zolder 2017.

 

MORE:

Picture gallery of Zolder 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/zolder-superprix

FORMULA class: Race 2 at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-de-plano-chases-his-first-ever-p1-at-the-boss-gp-championship-in-zolder

OPEN class: Race 1 at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/open-class-race-1-at-zolder-superprix-stratford-losing-drive-zwart-losing-tyre

OPEN class: Qualifying at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/open-class-qualifying-at-zolder-superprix-zwart-leaving-the-track-early

OPEN class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/open-class-practice-day-at-zolder-superprix-stratford-and-zwart-back-on-track-with-boss-gp

Schedule for “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-zolder-superprix

Start list for “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/start-list-for-the-zolder-superprix-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings