Luzich Racing conquered its fourth win of the season, with its new pair that debuted here: Marco Cioci and Daniel Serra. A long-standing contender in the series and a former class champion, the Italian (who took pole on the wet this morning) conquered his maiden overall win. So did also the reigning Stock Car Brazil champion, who is back to the GT Open ten years after his last appearance. The white-and-red Ferrari 488 beat in a thrilling finale the SPS Automotive Performance Mercedes of Valentin Pierburg and Tom Onslow-Cole that put an outstanding show, taking its fourth success of the year in the Pro-Am class, ahead of the Daiko Lazarus Racing of class leaders Fabrizio Crestani-Miguel Ramos.
By finishing fifth in the #51 Luzich Ferrari, Mikkel Mac, partnered by Alessandro Pier Guidi, reinforces slightly his lead in the points standings. In the Am class, it was almost a home race, the second of the year, for Austrians Martin Konrad and Alex Hrachowina, on the MS Racing/HTP Motorsport Mercedes.
THE RACE – After storms in the morning (and a wet Qualifying 1), it’s again sunny and warm for the race. Poleman Cioci keeps the advantage, while there is some rubbing between Onslow-Cole and Crestani, but the Mercedes keeps P2. Follow Di Folco, Mac, Ling, Keilwitz and Bertolini, Agostini, Saravia and Lisowski. Mul and Fioravanti get in contact and both stop in the pits (with the Dutchman retiring) at the end lap 1, as does Basso.
End of lap 3 sees a successful attack at the end of the straight of Onslow-Cole on Cioci, with the Brit taking the lead. There is rubbing between Di Folco and Mac, but with no consequence, and also a contact between Sowery and Liang (with the Brit getting a 5” penalty). End of lap 6, Di Folco is passed by Keilwitz and Mac. The Target Lambo is involved in contacts with both Mac and Ling (who stops in the pits) and ends up spinning in the middle of the group. Mac passes Keilwitz for P4. In the lead, Onslow-Cole has now a 2.6 advantage on Crestani, who has taken second from Cioci.
By lap 10, Onslow-Cole is a strong leader ahead of Crestani, Keilwitz , Cioci, Mac, Bertolini, Saravia, Sowery, Agostini and Lisowski, while Konrad precedes Borlenghi and Coimbra in Am. In lap 15, Sowery passes Saravia for P7.
In lap 17 opens the window for driver change. After al changes, Hook leads with 3.4 seconds on Pierburg, and 3.7 on Serra, then Ramos, Breukers, PierGuidi, Di Amato, Cipriani, Rueda and Perel. In lap 28, Pierburg and Serra pass Hook for the lead.
As lap 33 starts, Serra takes the lead. Ramos is now 3rd ahead of Breukers (who had been slowed by a contact from Di Amato), Pier Guidi, Di Amato, Hook, Rueda, Perel and Khodair. while the last incident involves Rugolo and M.Jedlinski. Hrachowina wins in Am ahead of Mikulasko and Silva.
Source. International GT Open
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