Tag: Zolder

FORMULA class: De Plano chases his first ever P1 at the BOSS GP championship in Zolder

Double-podium for MM International Motorsport again in Zolder 2017.

What a crazy race again. Just four out of seven cars of the FORMULA class made it to the finish line on the track of Zolder at the “Zolder Superprix”.

Henk de Boer (NED, De Boer Manx, Dallara GP2 Me cachrome 4.0 V8) and Walter Steding (GER, Inter Europol Competition, Dallara GP2 Me cachrome 4.0 V8) already dropped out the race before the start due to technical problems. Wolfgang Jordan (GER, HA Racing, Dallara GP2 Me cachrome 4.0 V8) spun off the track shortly after the start. So four drivers of the FORMULA class were left on track and showed an intense battle for the podium anyway.

So it was Salvatore De Plano (ITA, MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8), starting from position 4, who overtook Mahaveer Raghunathan (IND, PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport, Lola Auto GP Gibson Tech 3.4 V8) directly after the start. The following safety car phase during the first three laps, due to Jordans twister off the track, was a challenge for drivers and cars (“We managed that well”, De Plano).

 

De Plano (l.) and Raghunathan (r.) chasing the track at Zolder 2017.

De Plano (l.) and Raghunathan (r.) chasing the track at Zolder 2017.

 

When the track was opened up for the grid in lap 4, De Plano and Raghunathan, following with a gap of just around two seconds, showed a great battle for the top podium position of season race 8. De Plano managed to keep the lead of the FORMULA class grid and winning his first ever BOSS GP P1 until he crossed the finishing line in lap 17, taking the lead with 2,735 seconds up in front of second ranked Raghunathan on P2. Driving his best lap (8th) in 1:20.974 min, the Italian showed a great result, coming very close to the lap record of leading OPEN class driver Phil Stratford with 1:20,215. Also Raghunathan performed his record in 8th lap with 1:21,238.

As on Saturdays race (season race 7) Armando Mangini (ITA, MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2 Me cachrome 4.0 V8) made the podium-double for MM International Motorsport-team perfect, wenn he finished on P3, having a significant gap of 55,487 seconds to FORMULA class winner De Plano. His lap record was a 1:24,113.

Karl-Heinz Becker finished as fourth and last of the remaining FORMULA class grid with a total of 16 laps and a lap record of 1:30,376.

 

Podium of the FORMULA class in Zolder 2017.

Podium of the FORMULA class in Zolder 2017.

 

“Fantastico! This is just amazing. My first ever P1 at the BOSS GP championship. I hardly can describe my emotions, I feel so happy. I always dreamed of standing on top of this podium. So the race went perfect for me. Key to success was overtaking Raghunathan shortly after the start”, said an elated De Plano after the podium ceremony. “I want to thank my team for a great race weekend in Zolder. I look forward to the next races in Assen in August. We will attack again then!”, De Plano promised.

Looking at the overall Championship 2017 ranking of the FORMULA class, De Plano moved on to the second rank, passing the previous leader of the FORMULA class, Austrian Johann Ledermair, with a total of 159 points now. Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), who didn’t attend the “Zolder Superprix”-races, is set on the third rank now with a total of 147 points. Mahaveer Raghunathan is leading the FORMULA class with 171 points.

Results of race 2 in Zolder 2017:

Results of race in Zolder 2017.

 

MORE:

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

OPEN class: Race 2 at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/open-class-first-ever-p1-for-phil-stratford-in-boss-gps-open-class

FORMULA class: Race 1 at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-race-1-at-zolder-superprix-mahaveer-raghunathan-winning-his-first-ever-p1

FORMULA class: Qualifying at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-qualifying-at-zolder-superprix-raghunathan-and-de-plano-battle-for-fastest-lap

FORMULA class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-practice-day-at-zolder-superprix-2017-raghunatan-taking-the-lead

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

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

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

FORMULA class: Race 1 at “Zolder Superprix” – Mahaveer Raghunathan winning his first ever P1

Podium of the FORMULA class at race 1 in Zolder 2017.

Full of action was the first race of the weekend at the “Zolder Superprix” in Belgium. The two leading drivers of the FORMULA class showed a thrilling battle for the top podium spot. Meanwhile two others had to finish the race early.

18 years young, but very ambitious – this is Indian driver Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport). Starting from overall position 3 (FORMULA and OPEN class cars start in one grid), Raghunathan showed a strong performance over 16 laps with his Lola Auto GP Gibson Tech 3.4 V8 and a great battle with Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) with his Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8. At the end it was a neck-to-neck-finish, with De Plano just finishing 2,719 seconds behind Raghunathan at the overall race-time. The best lap time at the FORMULA class was performed by De Plano in 1:22,229 min, while Raghunathan raced his best lap in 1:22,447.

Finishing first meant the first ever P1 for Raghunathan at a BOSS GP race – the young driver was more than pleased with his victory. Overall the Indian has a great outcome this season – seven races, seven podiums (1x P1, 2x P2, 4x P3). Meanwhile De Plano secured his second P2 of the season, his fourth overall season podium (2x P2, 2x P3).

Raghunathan (m.), chased by De Plano (l.) and de Boer (r.) at the start of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

Raghunathan (m.), chased by De Plano (l.) and de Boer (r.) at the start of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

 

The first podium of the season was achieved by Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport) with his Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8 on the P3. The gap between team mate De Plano and Mangini was significant (2:18,557 min). But excitement and enthusiasm of the MM International Motorsport team about the podium-double nevertheless was huge. Even a penalty of 30 seconds for Mangini, due to overtaking under yellow flag, didn’t disturb the good mood; the penalty didn’t change the final result anyway.

Unfortunately two drivers finished the race way to early. Wolfgang Jordan (H&A Racing) spun off the track already in the first lap with his Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8. Henk de Boer (De Boer Manx) had to finish the race in lap 9, due to technical reasons with his Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8. The Dutch had shown a good performance so far. Making it to the podium could have been possible for him. De Boer performed his best lap time in 1:23,425, before he had to leave the track.

Armando Mangini waiting for the start signal of the race in Zolder.

Armando Mangini waiting for the start signal of the race in Zolder.

 

“It was a good start and the race went really well. This is my first ever win, so I dedicate this to my grandfather”, Raghunathan told us after the podium ceremony. “For the whole race I had some problems with the brakes. De Plano was right behind me all the time, so this was really tough. But at the end I am very, very happy about making it to the P1.” For the second race of the weekend, the young driver “wants to repeat winning again”.

It’s the same for Salvatore De Plano, who wants to attack for the top-position of the podium: “Of course I am very, very happy with finishing as second. It was such a close race, I was directly behind Raghunathan. At the second race on Sunday I will attack again for making it to the P1”, the Italian promised.

Armando Mangini, winning the P3, was more than happy, making it onto the podium: “Fantastico! I am very, very happy!”, the Italian was overwhelmed.

Double-podium for MM International Motorsport at Zolder 2017.

Double-podium for MM International Motorsport at Zolder 2017: Salvatore De Plano (l., P2) and Armando Mangini (P3).

 

Due to the absence of so far leading Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) the podium of the FORMULA class looked quite different compared to the first six races of the 2017 Championship. Winning the P1 and achieving a total of 25 points, Raghunathan took over the lead of the overall FORMULA class ranking and has a two-points-advantage now over Ledermair. Will De Plano pass the Austrian after the second race in Zolder too? BOSS GP will be on the track at the “Superprix” again at 12:25 p.m. on Sunday.

The complete result of race 1 at Zolder 2017:

 

Results of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

MORE:

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

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

FORMULA class: Qualifying at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-qualifying-at-zolder-superprix-raghunathan-and-de-plano-battle-for-fastest-lap

FORMULA class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-practice-day-at-zolder-superprix-2017-raghunatan-taking-the-lead

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

OPEN class: Race 1 at “Zolder Superprix” – Stratford losing drive, Zwart losing tyre

Klaas Zwart on the track at Zolder 2017.

Full of action was the first race of the weekend at the “Zolder Superprix” in Belgium. Both drivers of the OPEN class struggled on the track.

Despite struggling with technical issues during the Qualifying, the lap times Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) had raced in the morning as well as Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) promised an exciting race at the afternoon. Starting from Pole Position (Zwart) and position 2 (Stratford) both OPEN class drivers lead the start grid in Zolder (OPEN and FORMULA class start in one grid at the race).

Zwart kept the lead with his Jaguar R5 Cosworth 3.0 V10 for 15 laps and showed without any doubt a dominant performance on the Belgian track. He achieved his best time in lap 3 with 1:16,002 min. Only a burst tyre finally stopped the Dutch in lap 16, shortly before the finish of the race. Having 15 laps completed, Zwart was classified without any problems and won the podium of the OPEN class as well as his first 25 points of the Championship 2017.

 

Phil Stratford preparing for the race at Zolder 2017.

Phil Stratford preparing for the race at Zolder 2017.

 

Unfortunate went Phil Stratfords race. Ranked as second of the OPEN class for an overall amount of ten laps, the American had to return with his Benetton B197 Judd 4.0 V10 to the box in lap eleven: “I lost the drive”, he explained, “but that’s racing. It can happen.” Stratford had performed the best time in lap 4 with 1:21,624 min.

 

Klaas Zwart overall winner of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

Klaas Zwart overall winner of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

 

So at the end of the day Zwart was the only finisher of the OPEN class at race 1 in Zolder at the “Superprix”-weekend. Hopefully both OPEN class drivers will start at race 2 on Sunday morning (start: 12:25 a.m., duration: 20 minutes).

Results of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

Results of race 1 at Zolder 2017.

MORE:

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

FORMULA class: Race 1 at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-race-1-at-zolder-superprix-mahaveer-raghunathan-winning-his-first-ever-p1

OPEN class: Qualifyig 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

FORMULA class: Qualifying at “Zolder Superprix” – Raghunathan and De Plano battle for fastest lap

Mahaveer Raghunathan (r.) finishing Qualifying as fastest driver of the FORMULA class at Zolder 2017.

Sunny weather after a rainy practice day on Friday made best conditions for the BOSS GP Qualifying at the “Zolder Superprix”on Saturday morning.

All seven cars went on track at 10:20 a.m. and showed a couple of neck-to-neck-races for best positions at the starting grid for race 1 of this weekend. Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport)with his Lola Auto GP Gibson Tech 3.4 V8 performed the fastest lap of the FORMULAR class grid with a 1:20,541 min in his last lap (11 in total). He was followed closely by Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8), who raced his fastest lap as well in his last lap (12 in total) with a 1:21,614 min. They were followed by Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8) with 1:24,254 and Henk de Boer (De Boer Manx, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8) with 1:24,665. Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8, 1:27,061), Wolfgang Jordan (HA Racing, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8, 1:27,947) and Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport, Dallara WSbN AER 2.0 R4T, 1:29,848) followed.

De Plano at Qualifying at Zolder 2017.

Finishing Qualifying as second: De Plano at Zolder 2017.

 

Jordan and de Boer quit Qualifying earlier than planned due to spinning off the track after nine (Jordan) respectively ten (de Boer) laps. Nevertheless they secured their start position (Jordan: 8, de Boer: 6) for the first race of the weekend, which will start at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon (duration: 20 min).

Mahaveer Raghunathan explained: “Qualifying went well for us. I’m very happy with the achieved result and start position 3 for the race.”

Results of the Qualifying at Zolder 2017.

Results of the Qualifying at Zolder 2017.

 

Since FORMULA and OPEN class race together at the same race, start positions for the race are composed by the overall Qualifying results. Both OPEN class drivers, Klaas Zwart and Phil Stratford, will start from pole position (Zwart) and position 2 (Stratford). Raghunathan as fastest FORMULA class driver starts from position 3, followed by De Plano (4).

The overall start grid for race 1 is:

Start grid for race 1 at Zolder 2017.

Start grid for race 1 at Zolder 2017.

 

MORE:

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

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

FORMULA class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-practice-day-at-zolder-superprix-2017-raghunatan-taking-the-lead/

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

OPEN class: Qualifying at “Zolder Superprix” – Zwart leaving the track early

Klaas Zwart on track in Zolder 2017.

Sunny weather after a rainy practice day on Friday made best conditions for the BOSS GP Qualifying at the “Zolder Superprix”on Saturday morning.

Cars went on track at 10:20 a.m., both drivers of the OPEN class improved their lap times from free practice sessions significantly. Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) was the first one, who entered the track with his Jaguar R5 Cosworth 3.0 V10. The Dutch killed the track with his best lap time in 1:14,408 min in lap four and secured the pole position for the first race of the weekend, being the fastest of the whole start grid at the Qualifying. With this time Zwart was close to the current BOSS GP track record, which is 1:14,089 min. Unfortunately the Dutch had to quit the session early after the fourth lap, due to technical reasons.

 

Phil Stratford on the track in Zolder 2017.

Phil Stratford on the track in Zolder 2017.

 

Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing) finished Qualifying as second, impoving his best lap time to 1:19,310 min (1:33,820 min at free practice) and narrowing the gap to Zwart considerably. Being second fastest of the whole grid at Qualifying, Stratford will start from position 2 at the race on afternoon.

Klaas Zwart after Qualifying: “There was a overheating of the engine, so I had to quit. I’m not happy about that.”

 

Results of the Qualifying at Zolder 2017.

Results of the Qualifying at Zolder 2017.

 

Since FORMULA and OPEN class race together at the same race, start positions for the race are composed by the overall Qualifying results. Both OPEN class drivers, Klaas Zwart and Phil Stratford, will start from pole position (Zwart) and position 2 (Stratford) and are followed by Raghunathan as fastest FORMULA class driver on position 3 and De Plano (4).

The overall start grid for race 1 is:

Start grid for race 1 at Zolder 2017.

Start grid for race 1 at Zolder 2017.

 

MORE:

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

FORMULA class: Qualifying at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-qualifying-at-zolder-superprix-raghunathan-and-de-plano-battle-for-fastest-lap

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

FORMULA class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix 2017” – Raghunathan taking the lead

Mahaveer Raghunathan on track by difficult weather conditions at Zolder 2017.

The weather conditions around the circuit of Zolder in Belgium turned the practice day for the BOSS GP crews upside down. But at the end of the day, all cars went on track und raced their first lap times of the Superprix-weekend.

Seven cars had signed for the race-event in Zolder (Belgium) at the FORMULA class. Due to heavy rain, only three drivers went on the track for the first free practice of the day. Mahaveer Raghunathan (IND), current runner-up of the FORMULA class, was the first driver, who entered the track in his Lola Auto GP Gibson Tech 3.4 V8. And he was the fastest one at the end of the session, with a best lap-time of 1:42,982 min. Raghunathan was followed by Walter Steding (GER, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8) with 1:56,354 min and Karl-Heinz Becker (GER, Dallara WSbN AER 2.0 R4T) with 2:07,730 min.

 

Results of 1st free practice at Zolder 2017.

Results of 1st free practice at Zolder 2017.

 

While weather conditions improved significantly during the afternoon, all FORMULA class drivers went on track at the second free practice. It was again Raghunathan, wo showed the best performance of his class on the Belgian track in Zolder. He improved his best lap-time to a 1:23,480 min, followed by Salvatore De Plano (ITA, Dallara GP2 Mecachrome 4.0 V8) with his best lap in 1:27,089 min. Despite a spun off the track by Steding, the second free practice run smoothly and showed a promising performance for Qualifying and first race of the weekend on Saturday.

 

Results of 2nd free practice at Zolder 2017.

Results of 2nd free practice at Zolder 2017.

 

Salvatore De Plano at second free practice in Zolder 2017.

Armando Mangini at second free practice in Zolder 2017.

 

MORE:

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

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

OPEN class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix” – Stratford and Zwart back on track with BOSS GP

Phil Stratford during free practice at Zolder 2017.

The weather conditions around the circuit of Zolder in Belgium turned the practice day for the BOSS GP crews upside down. But at the end of the day, all cars went on track und raced their first lap times of the Superprix-weekend.

Two cars had signed for the race-event in Zolder (Belgium). Phil Stratford (USA) as well as Klaas Zwart (NED) returned back on track for BOSS GP after a break of two months. Stratford went on track with his Benetton B197 Judd 4.0 V10 at the first free practice of the day despite heavy rain starting immediately, when the practice just had started. With eight laps on track his best lap-time was a 1:51,239 min in round 3. Stratford had raced the first two races of the season at Hockenheim (GER) im April 2017, but missed the races in Zandvoort (NED, May) and Paul Ricard (FRA, June). He was joined on track by a couple of FORMULA class drivers (Mahaveer Raghunathan, Walter Steding, Karl-Heinz Becker). Find more informations of the practice day of the FORMULA class at this link.

Results of 1st free practice at Zolder 2017.

Results of 1st free practice at Zolder 2017.

 

Both OPEN class drivers went on track at the second free practice on late afternoon, when weather conditions had improved significantly. While Stratford improved his lap time to a 1:33,820 min, Zwart drove his Jaguar R5 Cosworth 3.0 V10 at his best lap with a 1:17,178 min. Zwart made it to twelve laps, Stratford just stayed five laps on track.

Results of 2nd free practice at Zolder 2017.

Results of 2nd free practice at Zolder 2017.

 

Klaas Zwart back on track in Zolder 2017.

Klaas Zwart back on track in Zolder 2017.

 

MORE:

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

FORMULA class: Practice day at “Zolder Superprix 2017”: bossgp.com/formula-class-practice-day-at-zolder-superprix-2017-raghunatan-taking-the-lead

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

Timetable for the “Zolder Superprix”

Race 2 at Paul Ricard 2017.

This weekend BOSS GP will be part of the “Zolder Superprix” in Belgium. One more event, which provides great action for motorsport fans and enthusiasts. Starting on Friday afternoon with the first free practice, the BOSS GP crew is looking forward to an exciting race-weekend in Zolder.

The “Zolder Superprix” is a spectacular event from 14/07/2017 (Friday) until 16/07/2017 (Sunday) at the Circuit Zolder, in the north-east of Belgium, about 70 km in the east of the capital Brussel. Racingfans will come on pole position. Not only when BOSS GP will go for season races 7 and 8 on track, but also watching the Supercar Challenge, GT & Prototype Challenge or Belcar Endurance Championship.

See the schedule for the BOSS GP race weekend here:

Practice day on Friday, 14/07/2017

Traditionally the race weekend begins for drivers and crews with the first free practice on Friday. First time, drivers will go on track, will be at 2:45 p.m. for the first training session (25 min). Second free practice will start at the late afternoon, 5:25 p.m (25 min).

Zolder track will be packed full with free practices and tests whole Friday from 9:05 a.m. until ca. 5:50 p.m.

Qualifying and racing day 1 on Saturday, 15/07/2017

10:20 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. will be the dates to watch out on Saturday. Qualifying will be held in the morning at 10:20 a.m (30 min), whereas the first race of the weekend will start in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The “Zolder Superprix” will open its schedule in the morning at 9:05 a.m with the Qualifying of the Supercar Challenge. The programme will close ca. 5:50 p.m..

Racing day 2 on Sunday, 16/07/2017

The second BOSS GP race this weekend will be held on Sunday late morning at 12:25 p.m. The overall schedule provides eight different races on Sunday. The programme starts at 10:10 a.m. and is about to finish ca. 6:25 p.m.

As every good racing event – the schedule is always subject to – minor – changes.

You can find further informations about the “Zolder Superprix” at the website of the circuit: www.circuit-zolder.be/nl/events/zolder-superprix.

BOSS GP team will be on track all days and provide plenty of live coverage and updates not only on our website but also on all our social media channels:

www.facebook.com/bossgp2010

www.instagram.com/bossgp2010

www.twitter.com/bossgp2010

Mahaveer Raghunathan on track at Paul Ricard 2017.

Will Mahaveer Raghunathan take the lead in Zolder? 

Zolder forth step of season 2017

BOSS GP will compete at seven different European venues in 2017, holding 14 races in total. Season kick off was held in Hockenheim (GER), followed by Zandvoort (NED) and Paul Ricard (FRA). Next tracks will be Assen (NED), Brno (CZE) and Imola (ITA).

More:

Find the start list for the BOSS GP “Zolder Superprix” here: bossgp.com/start-list-for-the-zolder-superprix-is-set

Find detailed statistics of the current season here: bossgp.com/races

Start list for the “Zolder Superprix” is set

At the box in Paul Ricard 2017.

4th station of  the BOSS GP Championship season 2017 this weekend (14.-16./07.2017) is coming closer. The start list for the motorsport event in Belgium is now set. 

And there will be some very interesting competitors. Seven drivers will compete in the FORMULA class. Current leader of the class, Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport), wont be on track in Zolder. Will Mahaveer Raghunathan or Salvatore De Plano take over the lead of the ranking? This is the start list for the FORMULA class at the “Zolder Superprix”:

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make Type
105 Wolfgang Jordan H&A Racing GER Dallara GP2
115 Mahaveer Raghunathan PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport IND Lola Auto GP
136 Henk de Boer De Boer Manx NED Dallara GP2
323 Armando Mangini MM International Motorsport ITA Dallara GP2
411 Karl-Heinz Becker Becker Motorsport GER Dallara World Series by Nissan
505 Walter Steding Inter Europol Competition GER Dallara GP2
999 Salvatore De Plano MM International Motorsport ITA Dallara GP2

Also the current leader of the OPEN class, Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed), wont race in Zolder. But – good news – Klaas Zwart (Team Ascari) will return on track after his crash at the first race of the season in Hockenheim (Germany). As well we will see again Phil Stratford (Penn Elcom Racing), who drove two great races in Hockenheim in April, but couldn’t attend the following races due to different reasons. BOSS GP fans can look forward to an interesting duel of the two OPEN class starters.

 

Start-No. Name Team Nat. Make Type
7 Phil Stratford Penn Elcom Racing USA Benetton B197 F1
66 Klaas Zwart Team Ascari NED Jaguar R5 F1

 

BOSS GP will compete at seven different European venues in 2017, holding 14 races in total. Hockenheim (GER) in April, Zandvoort (NED) in May and Paul Picard (FRA) in June are done. Zolder will set season races 7 and 8. Remaining tracks are Assen (NED), Brno (CZE) and Imola (ITA).

MORE:

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

Find all informations about the Circuit in Zolder on this website: www.circuit-zolder.be/en

11/07/2017