Autorlando made the most of the weather conditions
A huge storm in the middle of the afternoon has created the conditions, slippery and treacherous, for one of the liveliest and most surprising races of the International GT Open. The Pro-Am Race was eventually won by the Porsche Autorlando of Gianluca Roda and Richard Lietz, after a strong performance from both drivers, ahead of the two Edil Cris Ferraris of Frezza-Monfardini and Cressoni-Bontempelli, while in GTS another perfect race from Andrea Ceccato and Marco Visconti gave Racing Box a second victory this season.
Action starts already in the formation lap, with the Ferrari of Giudici out of the race as it takes fire and gets severely damaged. At the start, the track is still humid but everybody is on slicks. Sundberg takes the lead but on turn 3 he is pushed out by the SunRed of Pérez-Aicart, who will end in the gravel as well in the following corner. That creates some confusion among top contenders, while Corradi, Zonca, Cressoni, Alexander also spin in the slippery conditions. The pace-car is out for four laps in front of Rugolo, first in one of the AE Ferraris. When race resumes Rugolo leads ahead of his team-mate Bonetti, Carol, Rosa, Monfardini, Couceiro (soon also out of the race), Maceratesi (who will stop to put on rain tyres, as do other drivers too) and Armetta, the first in GTS.
Later on, when Rugolo and Bonetti start having less grip on the drying track and fighting between each other, it is young Spaniard Marc Carol leading at the wheel of the V-Line Ferrari. After the driver change, the two Edil Cris of Frezza and Bontempelli command ahead of Mayola, Geri, Tavano, Lietz, Chacón and Pasini.
Everything is set for a thrilling finale with the Porsche of Lietz charging up towards the lead. The Austrian, with an impressive performance, will make up the 1’30" disadvantage he had, reaches 2nd position in lap 22 and overtakes the leader, Frezza, on lap 28. Similar scenario in GTS with young Andrea Ceccato (who has stopped to put slicks on) catching the other Lambo Racing Box of Geri and clinching victory and an impressive 5th position overall.
Rain is back in the final laps, which see a nice battle among the Edil Cris Ferraris for second and third, an unfortunate spin of Chacón (who was 4th in the Drivex Porsche) and throttle problems for the AE Ferrari of Pasini.
Additional notes
With respect to the initial entry list were not present the following cars: #8 (Ferrari AC Andorra), #17 (Ferrari Villaroel), #25 (third Ferrari GPC), #69 & 70 (the two Marcos).
On #11 (Ferrari Advanced), Lorenzo Casé, who broke a knee in a domestic accident, is replaced by former WTCC driver Salvatore Tavano.
Handicaps Pro-Am Race:
#3 Montermini-Maceratesi (Playteam Ferrari): 25’’
#10 Pasini-Bonetti (AE Ferrari): 20’’
#21 Frezza-Monfardini (Edil Cris Ferrari): 5’’
#57 Wiser-Calella (Villois Aston): 20’’
#58 Caccia-Moncada (Mik Corse Lambo): 30’’
#65 Cioci-Pellizzato (Twentytwo Corvette): 20’’