By Tarek Ramchani
Round 3 of the French GT Tour is at Val de Vienne this weekend. Team Audi France got a fine third place finish in race 1 today. The official French dealer team had an amazing three-way battle for almost the whole race.
David Hallyday had a great start, moving from third to second with this #32 Audi R8 LMS ultra. Very bad luck hit the #5 Audi of Sainteloc Racing who were immediately out of the race. Hallyday put great pressure on the leading Mercedes-Benz SLS, and for many occasions almost took the race lead. Right behind Hallyday the third placed Porsche was catching fast. Later the three leading cars stopped for the mandatory pit stops. The Audi now in hands of Stephane Ortelli was back on track in second behind the Mercedes. Meanwhile the #38 Audi R8 LMS from JWS Racing stopped and had to retire, the car was running in the Gentlemen's Trophy. Still running in second, Ortelli tried to move to first without success. Minutes later the Porsche who run in third was able to pass the two leading cars and took the race lead. Behind the #4 Audi R8 LMS ultra of Gregaroy Guilvert was flying as the fastest on track. Maybe pushing too far, as the Sainteloc Racing driver had an excursion. However he was able to bring the car home in seventh. The race win went to the #2 Porsche GT3 R, seconds ahead of the #17 SLS AMG and the #32 Audi R8 LMS ultra. Stephane Ortelli and David Hallyday got their first podium finish this season, after frustrating races at Ledenon and Dijon. The #42 Audi R8 LMS from Sainteloc Racing finished in twelfth overall, second in the Gentlemen's Trophy.
Overall it was a good race 1 for Audi. Both Team Audi France and Sainteloc Racing have shown strong pace during race 1. All good for race 2 tomorrow as we are hoping for an Audi victory.
Val de Vienne full race 1 results
Photo credit: Jean-Baptiste Lassaux / www.autorennsport.ch
More information:
GT Tour official website
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