The big moment has arrived: the 2018 season is about to come to an end! As per tradition, it is the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosting the final and decisive round. No less customary is indeed the fact that the title is decided at Montmeló. It has been the case in 12 out of 13 editions so far, including the current one, which will offer an exciting three-way battle. The overall crown is not the only one still at stake: the battle is going to be close and fierce also in the Pro-Am and Am classes and in the Teams’ standings.
The main focus of attention will logically be on the fight for the GT open overall title, which has no less than three contenders: Mikkel Mac, Fran Rueda-Andrés Saravia and Giovanni Venturini-Jeroen Mul, representing three different teams (Luzich, Teo Martín, Imperiale) and brands (Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini). We’ll cover the fight and hear from the actors involved separately.
No derogation either to another feature of Barcelona’s grand finale: the round attracts a fair number of additional entries and big names, bringing the entry list to 32 cars, the largest figure in 2018. The entry list has been just released today.
As usual, the Barcelona round is attracting a lot of new names. Among the new entries, Spanish squad Porteiro Motorsport is entering the Mercedes seen in the Winter Test at Barcelona for a pair of American drivers, Charles Finelli and Phillippe Denes. From the USA is also Winward Racing, a Texas-based squad technically supported by HTP Motorsport, which makes its debut with a Mercedes entrusted to American Russell Ward and Dutch GT specialist Indy Dontje.
Two teams from Central Europe already seen this year have decided to join the final party: Senkyr Motorsport, after taking a podium finish at Spa, is fielding again its BMW M6, with Richard Gonda this time associated with Denmark’s Mikkel Jensen, while Polish squad Olimp Racing is entering its two Audi R8 already seen at the Hungaroring for Marcin Jedlinski-Mateusz Lisowski and Stanislaw Jedliski-Gosia Rdest. The latter is one of the most promising young lady driver in GT, on top of a very well-known motor journalist in her home country.
Among driver changes, there will be a new pair debuting with Drivex: Christian Hahn (the son of Marcelo) is switching to GTs from the Euroformula, and will race alongside Austrian DTM star Lucas Auer. At Ombra Racing, Damiano Fioravanti will be partnered this time by Andrea Rizzoli; the 33-year-old BES and ELMS winner is back to the GT Open, where he was a regular winner in GTS in 2011-12. On its side, Target Racing is confirming a two-Lambo entry, with Switzerland’s Christoph Lenz joining Stefano Costantini in the Am car, and former GP2 and A1GP star Adrian Zaugg, from South Africa, alongside Alberto Di Folco in the car entered in Pro. Phil Keen is also returning to the GT Open, in this occasion alongside Kang Ling in the VSR Lambo.
Fans at the track and at home will therefore have plenty to enjoy, giving also the rich race programme of the weekend, which includes on top of the GT Open, the Euroformula Open (with Brazil’s Felipe Drugovich already crowned and the presence of David Schumacher), the TCR Europe (where local hero Mikel Azcona is the best-placed in the run for the title), the Alpine ELF Europa Cup and the Eurocup Formula Renault, which will close here its glorious journey started in 1971 before starting a new journey.
Source. International GT Open
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