Showing posts with label International GT Open. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International GT Open. Show all posts

Monday, May 11, 2015

GT Open: Team Novadriver Audi narrowly missed the podium in Estoril race 2


By Tarek Ramchani

Team Novadriver had a great Sunday in the second International GT Open race at Estoril. The local team faced a very unlucky race 1 on Saturday

The Portuguese Audi Sport customer racing team did not finish the first race. Technical issues stoppd their #19 car right after the mandatory pit stop, the car was running in a strong third overall.

The qualifying session for race 2 was held on Sunday, a frustrating one for Cesar Campanico and Joel Camathias. The two drivers qualified in eleventh overall.


Later in the afternoon Cesar Campanico and Joel Camathias were able to bounce back. Their Audi R8 LMS ultra managed to progress and charge throughout the field. The Team Novadriver entry was among the fastest on track and battled well against the Ferraris and a McLaren.

At the end of the 1-hour race, Cesar Campanico and Joel Camathias narrowly missed the podium taking a strong fourth place.

As was the case on Saturday it was an all Ferrari affair again. The 458 Italia GT3s took all the top three positions.

The next round for the International GT Open will be at Silverstone, June 5th to 7th

Photo credit: Team Novadriver


Saturday, May 9, 2015

GT Open: Unlucky race 1 for Team Novadriver Audi at Estoril


By Tarek Ramchani

The Estoril Circuit is playing host to the second round of the International GT Open this weekend. A single Audi R8 LMS ultra is entering the Portuguese event from local Team Novadriver.

Team Novadriver peformed really well in the qualifying session earlier today. The #19 Audi R8 LMS ultra in the hands of team-owner Cesar Campanico and Joel Camathies qualified in a strong third place for race 1.

The race started well for the Audi Sport customer racing team. Cesar Campanico had a strong start and opening stint holding third place and pushing back the assault from Ferrari 458 Italias.


At halfway mark the Audi had to come to pitlane for the mandatory pit-stop. Cesar Campanico jumped out from the Audi and Joel Camathias replaced him. The team was seeking a deserved podium finish, unfortunately bad luck hit the Novadriver squad. The #19 Audi stopped right after with technical issues hitting the R8 LMS ultra.

Up ahead it was an all Ferrari affair. The 458 Italia GT3 cars took all three top positions.

Team Novadriver will be back tomorrow for a second qualifying session followed by race 2. We wish the best of luck to the Portuguese team and their drivers.

Photo credit: Team Novadriver


Thursday, May 7, 2015

GT Open: Team Novadriver Audi back to the series at Estoril home round


By Tarek Ramchani

The Estoril circuit will play host to the second round of the 2015 International GT Open this weekend. The Portuguese round will see the return of local Team Novadriver.

The Audi Sport customer racing team managed by César Campaniço will field an Audi R8 LMS ultra. The car will be in the hand of two fast drivers.

Team owner and driver César Campaniço will be joined by GT Open specialist and former champion Joel Camathias from Switzerland. The two drivers will be aiming high at the demanding Estoril track against some strong competitors representing McLaren and Ferrari.

Action will start at Estoril on Friday with two practice sessions. The first qualifying session and race one will be held on Saturday. The second qualifying session and race two will be held on Sunday.

Photo credit: Team Novadriver


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

GT Open: Team Parker Racing with an Audi R8 LMS ultra in Paul Ricard opener


By Tarek Ramchani

Good news coming from Great Britain and the International GT Open. Team Parker Racing will enter the season opener at Paul Ricard with an Audi R8 LMS ultra.

The British Audi Sport customer racing team performed very well in the first round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Monza within the Am-Cup class.

The Team Parker Racing Audi entry in France will be driven by  Ian Loggie and Callum McLeod.

The R8 LMS ultra will use Michelin tires, the French manufacturer is the new exclusive supplier in International GT Open.

Photo credit: Audi Media


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

GT Open: Team Novadriver testing Audi R8 LMS ultra at Monteblanco


By Johan Laubscher

Team Novadriver was out testing the #58 Audi R8 LMS ultra at the Monteblanco circuit in Spain this week. It was the team's first shakedown test to check all of the systems following the rebuild of the car during the winter.


The Portuguese Audi Sport customer racing team fielded this #58 Audi R8 LMS ultra in the 2014 International GT Open with the driver paring of Cesar Campanico and Aditya Patel.

Team Novadriver has not yet announced their plans for 2015, but they are expected to do so during the coming weeks.


Photo credit: Team Novadriver

Sunday, February 8, 2015

GT Open: Team Novadriver Audi R8 LMS ultra at Salão de Campeões


By Johan Laubscher

One of Team Novadriver's Audi R8 LMS ultra cars was on display at the 2015 Salão de Campeões in Portugal from 30 January until 1 February. The team also received prizes and recognition for their achievements during 2014 from FPAK at the event.


The Portuguese Audi Sport custromer racing team fielded this #58 Audi R8 LMS ultra in the 2014 International GT Open with the driver paring of Cesar Campanico and Aditya Patel.

Team Novadriver is expected to reveal their plans for 2015 during the coming weeks.


Photo credit: Team Novadriver

Sunday, November 9, 2014

PHOTOS: Team Novadriver Audi R8 LMS ultra in GT Open at Barcelona


A selection of great photos from Team Novdriver at Barcelona. The Portuguese team performed well with their two Audi R8 LMS ultra in the International GT Open season finale last weekend.

Race 1 report is here.
Race 2 report is here.
















Photo credit: Team Novadriver


Sunday, November 2, 2014

GT Open: Unfortunate final race for Team Novadriver in Barcelona Race 2


By Johan Laubscher

Team Novadriver scored a terrific second in class and fifth overall yesterday, but lady luck was not on their side in Spain today. The final round of the 2014 International GT Open was held at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend.

The second race saw both of the Portuguese team’s Audis in strife. César Campaniço and Aditya Patel suffered damage in the first corner and their entire race was compromised in the #58 Audi R8 LMS ultra, ultimately finishing eleventh within the GTS class.


Their teammates in the #88 R8 LMS ultra, Fabien Hamprecht and Fernando Monje, again suffered an unfortunate race. Yesterday they were robbed of a good finish with a contact-induced transmission failure and today a Ferrari turned them around whilst they were in the running for a top five finish. They finished ninth within the GTS class.

The results from race two can be seen HERE.

It may have been a difficult final race of the 2014 season for Team Novadriver, but they did celebrate successes during the year in GT Open, including the podium result yesterday.

Photo credit: Team Novadriver


Saturday, November 1, 2014

GT Open: GTS podium for Team Novadriver Audi in Barcelona race 1


By Tarek Ramchani

Circuit Catalnuya is hosting the season finale of the 2014 International GT Open this weekend. Team Novadriver is entering two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars in the GTS class.

Race 1 held this afternoon gave great satisfaction to Team Novadriver. The Portuguese Audi Sport customer racing team finished the 38-lap race in a strong fifth overall and took and great second place in the demanding GT class.

The #58 Audi R8 LMS ultra shared by César Campaniço and Aditya Patel battled very well for GTS victory and finished right behind class winners Shaun Balfe and Phil Keen with their #84 Ferrari 458 GT3.


Bad luck hit the second Team Novadriver Audi R8 LMS ultra. Fernando Monje and Fabian Hamprecht driving the #88 Audi were forced to retire after 27 laps.

Race 1 results can be seen here.

The second race will be held tomorrow. We wish the best of luck to Team Novadriver and their drivers.

Photo credit: GT Open

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

GT Open: Team Novadriver entering two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars at season finale


By Johan Laubscher

Team Novadriver is heading to the final round of the International GT Open with a two-car entry. The finale will be held at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain from 1-2 November.

The Portuguese Audi Sport customer racing team has competed in the GT Open all season long with the #58 Audi R8 LMS ultra driven by César Campaniço and Aditya Patel in the GTS class (GT3).


They will be adding their second Audi R8 LMS ultra to the grid, making its first appearance in the 2014 season, for drivers Fernando Monje and Fabian Hamprecht.

The team’s aim is clear, as they are aiming to take the GTS class victories in the upcoming weekend’s two races.

Photo credit: Team Novadriver


Wednesday, October 1, 2014