They chased but couldn't catch Rossi
04/05/08 - Spa-Francorchamps Race 2
Having arrived at Spa-Francorchamps as favourite, twenty year old Michaël Rossi (TDS), dealt perfectly with the pressure, winning each of the week-end's two races after starting from pole position in both. He led the second race ahead of the three Tech 1 Racing cars of Dimitri Enjalbert, Mathieu Chéruy and Jonathan Hirschi.
Winner of the weekend's first race, Michaël Rossi once again started from the front row which he shared with Dimitri Enjalbert. The team mechanics for Equipe Verschuur and Race Performance worked flat-out and as a result, the grid saw the return of Ralf Meichtry and Wim Beelen, both of whom had seriously damaged their cars in collective testing.
Michaël Rossi started well, while Dimitri Enjalbert did all he could to hold off Bernhard Ten Brinke (Equipe Verschuur). This helped Jonathan Hirschi and Maxime Martin (Boutsen Energy Racing) who climbed up to second and third places.
The three leaders, Michaël Rossi, Jonathan Hirschi and Maxime Martin, immediately began to build up a lead. However, between Dimitri Enjalbert, Bernhard Ten Brinke, Renaud Kuppens (Boutsen Energy Racing) and Mathieu Chéruy there was still everything to play for with the four men staying in tight formation. Slipstreaming played a key role on the straights at Spa-Francorchamps and the positions changed regularly in this chasing group.
In contrast to the first race in which he got away cleanly, Michaël Rossi today had to fend off attacks from Jonathan Hirschi. The two men built up a handsome lead as Maxime Martin followed. There were five drivers in the fight for a place on the podium. Dimitri Enjalbert monopolized third place, before the obligatory pit-stops began to loom.
Michaël Rossi was the first of the leaders to pull into the pits, followed by Mathieu Chéruy, the other drivers deciding to stay on the track. Maxime Martin and Bernhard Ten Brinke were the last of the leaders to make their stops.
After refueling, Michaël Rossi once again took control, with a six second lead over Jonathan Hirschi. Dimitri Enjalbert was third, but had to contend with attacks from teammate Mathieu Chéruy. In fifth, Renaud Kuppens crossed swords with his fellow countryman Maxime Martin. Sébastien Dhouailly also joined the fight.
In the lead, things were still going perfectly for Michaël Rossi who drove effortlessly towards a second success. Second place changed during the fourteenth lap when Dimitri Enjalbert passed teammate Jonathan Hirschi. The Swiss slowed towards the end of the race, which was equally beneficial to Mathieu Chéruy.
Michaël Rossi performed well in the Eurocup Megane Trophy with a double victory at Spa-Francorchamps. He finished ahead of the trio of Tech 1 Racing drivers; Enjalbert, Cheruy and Hirschi. Rossi has made a strong lead in the rankings, chalking up 32 points this weekend.
Following Rossi's example, Hoevert Vos (Equipe Verschuur) also made his a double, finishing ahead of Bernard Delhez (Tech 1 Racing) and Jean-Philippe Madonia (TDS).
Michaël Rossi: «It's been a perfect weekend! Collective testing, qualifying, races, everything went perfectly on a circuit I love driving. The Mégane is seriously effective round the fast bends! The start of the race was tricky with Hirschi, after that, I was all right.».
Dimitri Enjalbert: «Yesterday I had technical problems, so I didn't score a single point. It's good to finish second today. I've fallen behind Michaël, now I need to steal points in every race.»
Mathieu Chéruy: «I didn't think I'd be coming away from Spa-Francorchamps with second place in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy. We'll see what the future's got in store."