By Tarek Ramchani
Laurens Vanthoor and Robin Frijns took a fantastic victory in Blancpain Sprint Series qualifying race at Zolder. A lights-to-checkered win for the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT drivers who started from pole position.
Laurens Vanthoor who started the race behind the wheel of the #1 Audi R8 LMS ultra was able to keep the lead ahead. Behind drama hit two other Audis from Belgian Audi Club Team WRT. The #3 car of Stéphane Ortelli and Stéphane Richelmi had a contact with the sister #4 machine of Frank Stippler and James Nash. Both cars were forced to retire.
The incident at the start from another point of view .#BlancpainGT pic.twitter.com/QQFqso0db9
— Blancpain GT Series (@BlancpainGT) June 6, 2015
The #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra from Phoenix Racing took full advantage of the situation and improved its track position, up to fourth place.
After the mandatory pit-stop, Robin Frijns took over from Laurens Vanthoor behind the wheel of the #1 Audi. The Dutch stayed ahead of the second placed Ferrari 458 Italia and the third placed Bentley Continental GT3.
The Phoenix Racing Audi kepts its fourth place with Niki Mayr-Melnhof who took over the #6 R8 LMS ultra from Markus Winkelhock.
Behind, a great batlle raged for ninth place between two Audis. Christopher Mies (#2 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT) and Filipe Salaquarda (#75 ISR Racing) had a breathtaking fight for position nine. After many laps trying to make the decisive move, Christopher Mies managed to overtake the Czech driver.
At the end of the 60-minute sprint race, Robin Frinjs crossed the finish line victorious. This is the third straigh victory for Vanthoor and Frijns in Blancpain Sprint Series following the double victory at Brands Hatch last time out.
Niki Mayr-Melnhof and Markus Winkelhock gave Phoenix Racing a fantastic fourth place. Christopher Mies and Enzo Ideo took the ninth place. Marco Bonanomi and Filipe Salaquarda were tenth.
The main race will be held tomorrow.
Photo credit: Blancpain GT Series
