The GT4 European Series drivers’ and teams’ titles were all decided at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend during the final round of the 2020 season. Silver Cup, Am Cup and the teams’ title went to AGS Events, with Allied-Racing winning the Pro-Am Cup this season. NM Racing Team concluded the season with a double victory in France.
SILVER CUP: VALENTIN HASSE-CLOT AND THEO NOUET WIN FOR AGS EVENTS
After three seasons in which the GT4 European Series was decided in the final race of the season, Valentin Hasse-Clot and Theo Nouet broke with the tradition and secured the drivers’ title in the Silver Cup in the penultimate race of the season.
A fourth-place finish ahead in the opening race of the Circuit Paul Ricard weekend was enough to seal the title. Unfortunately, Hasse-Clot and Nouet retired from the final race of the season, but with the #27 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 taking four wins this season, as well as three other podium finishes, it is a well-deserved title for the two French drivers.
Theo Nouet: “This feels good and I am super happy, also for the team! I really have to thank my family and all my partners, AGS and Aston Martin. A big thanks to Valentin. He was more than a teammate this year. It was an amazing year, I had so many good emotions this year. It was a really good championship for me, I had a lot of fun to drive in this amazing car and this championship.
Valentin Hasse-Clot: “We would have signed for this result at the beginning of the year. It was a first experience for everyone. First time for AGS to work with young drivers and first time in Europe with the Aston Martins. We can be satisfied with the season overall. I would like to thank the team for their trust, Aston Martin for the great car. Theo evolved so quickly this season, during the season he became a very good driver!”
PRO-AM CUP: BUUS AND KASPERLIK WIN TITLE DESPITE TOUGH WEEKEND
Jan Kasperlik and young Danish talent Bastian Buus traveled to the South of France as the Pro-Am Cup leaders. Despite scoring seven wins in the first 10 races, the competitive field, the title fight went down to the wire as Allied-Racing teammates Nicolaj Møller-Madsen and Jörg Viebahn as well as Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport drivers Cem Bölükbasi and Yagiz Gedik were still in contention with just the two races at Circuit Paul Ricard to go.
An accident in Free Practice 2 ruled out Møller-Madsen and Viebahn, but maximum points for the Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport crew in race 2 meant the title fight went down to the wire. Despite mechanical problems throughout the weekend and contact with another competitor in the final race of the season, Buus and Kasperlik ensured the Pro-Am title when Bölükbasi hit trouble and was forced to retire his BMW.
Bastian Buus: “After the first race we knew it would be possible to become champions this year. We had a perfect season and only in the last race at Spa and this weekend we struggled a little bit. We managed to make the car perfect for the second race, but I got hit and the car was damaged. But we just had to finish the race and then we were champions. It was a matter of time, so I just tried to bring it home and we managed to do it!”
Jan Kasperlik: “The main work was done in the first four rounds, where we had a tremendous pace. Bastian developed great this season, we had so much speed in the first four races. At Spa we were also quick, but I made a mistake. This weekend was really a tough one. We had a crash on lap 2, an electronic failure, but finally we secured the win by just cruising around.
AM CUP: GOMAR AND VANNELET WIN BOTH RACES AND TITLE AT PAUL RICARD
Nicolas Gomar and Gilles Vannelet completed a near-perfect season with their sixth and seventh win of the season and the title in the Am Cup. The #89 AGS Events Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 only missed out on the podium once this season, at the second round in Misano.
Nicolas Gomar: I’m very happy with our first season with Aston Martin. After winning in France with Porsche and with Lamborghini in Europe. I’m very satisfied with the confidence Aston Martin gave us. To win the championship in Am, Silver and the teams classification in our first season is really good. It is the result of a lot of work and the confidence of our partners and drivers. I want to thank the entire team, Aston Martin and obviously all the drivers.
Gilles Vannelet: “It’s amazing! It helped to race in three championships. It was difficult because of the many travels, but to be in a race car every week is good for the rhythm. I also won the Lamborghini Super Trofeo with Nicolas last year, so it’s fantastic. We are a very balanced pair and that makes it easier. AGS is one big family, the young drivers are very fast and helped us with the setup of the car. It’s great!”
TEAMS’ TITLE: TRIPLE CROWN FOR AGS EVENTS IN DEBUT SEASON
After winning titles in GT4 France and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, AGS Events made its international GT4 debut this season and claimed three GT4 European Series Teams’ title on its first attempt. In total, AGS Events claimed 11 class victories, including two overall wins, and eight podium finishes throughout the 2020 season.
Nicolas Gomar: “In three years we have won three titles with three different manufacturers. Our objective was to win the title. The only problem we have now, by winning all titles in our first year, is to think what our objectives will be for next season. I would like to congratulate my teammates, Gilles, who did an amazing job, the technical team that has been who have been working 50 hours per week. It has been great!”
NM RACING TEAM TAKES DOUBLE WIN AT CIRCUIT PAUL RICARD
NM Racing Team won both races at Circuit Paul Ricard. The Spanish team made the right strategic call in the opening race at the 5.822 km circuit, which allowed them to take the lead during the pit window. In the final race of the season, the #15 Mercedes-AMG GT4 battled back to take the lead in the final minutes of the race and make it two wins in two races.
AKKA ASP Team’s guest appearance at Circuit Paul Ricard was rewarded with a double Pro-Am class win for Jim Pla and Jean Luc Beaubelique, while AGS Events drivers Nicolas Gomar and Gilles Vannelet completed a double win in the Am Cup.
Source. SRO Motorsports Group
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