GRT GRASSER RACING TEAM WILL SEEK REVENGE IN HOME ADAC GT MASTERS FIXTURE AT THE RED BULL RING

GRT Grasser Racing Team will be doubly motivated as they start the fifth ADAC GT Masters race weekend of 2020 later this week. Super Sports Car League Races 9 and 10 are set to take place practically outside the Lamborghini team’s front door in Knittelfeld very close to the Red Bull Ring in Styria. After being disappointed at the Sachsenring, the crews of the three Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evos are all the more determined to clinch their first official win of the season in their home fixture.

The two Lamborghini works drivers Franck Perera and Albert Costa Balboa will once again be the Austrians’ aces in the pack. Driving car number 63, they are in seventh place overall in the standings, but the season so far has not gone as hoped. Perera and Costa Balboa have now twice lost out on top-class results because of punctures just before the finish. And then last time out at the Sachsenring, they were deprived of victory in Sunday’s race following a decision made by the stewards behind closed doors. These two resolute GT3 pro drivers are keen to put things right.

And GRT Grasser Racing Team have another pair of ‘hot’ drivers on their hands with Lamborghini Juniors Tim Zimmermann and Steijn Schothorst, who secured the outfit’s first pole position of the season at the Hockenheimring. The Dutchman and ADAC GT Masters rookie Zimmermann have already celebrated a podium in car number 82 and have been on impressive form recently with another result in the Top Five at the Sachsenring, enabling them to work their way up into ninth position overall.

Local favourite Clemens Schmid from Tyrol will be sharing the drive in the team’s third Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo, car number 19, with Niels Lagrange in Austria. Schmid has contested the GT3 series since 2010 and became a member of GRT Grasser Racing Team just this year. Schmid and his Belgian team-mate have scored points in three meetings this season, showing flashes of their brilliance on several occasions. They too are keen to get the final segment of the season off to a successful start after having had a tough time during the previous two race weekends.

The 4.31-km Red Bull Ring should mark a change in fortune for GRT Grasser Racing Team in the 2020 season. However, it won’t be easy. Team Principal Gottfried Grasser’s team have twice been successful in their home race with victories in 2015 and 2017, but the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo is now classified differently in the regulations.

Can the team achieve success in their own backyard for a third time? Well, we shall find out in the two races to be broadcast live on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can also watch the two qualifying sessions as live stream on YouTube at 09.00 CEST.

Team Principal Gottfried Grasser: “The Red Bull Ring is less than ten kilometres from where we are based and is definitely the highlight of our season. We’ve achieved tremendous success there in the past and being able to celebrate with fans, sponsors and friends at the track was really nice. It always feels good to come home. What’s more, to be able to contest races here and win is simply the best. Of course, everything has been a little bit different this year. Unfortunately, we will not be able to entertain as many guests as usual due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is a sad state of affairs, for sure! But still, we refuse to let that get us down. Spielberg is always a very special weekend and we will do our utmost as per normal. We’ve had a tough season so far and want success more than ever. It’s going to be difficult again this year with the BoP, but we intend to pull out all the stops in order to clinch our first official win of the season.”

Source. GRT Grasser Racing/Photo. Axel Weichert