C.E.R. - Catalunya 2009

Luco, king in Spain

In early April, right as in the past year, the Circuit of Catalunya gave hospitality to the first race of the championship “Classic Endurance Racing” arrived this year at its sixth edition. A good 44 cars have entered, among which many special models that didn’t fail to attract the attention of numerous fans, who have visited the paddock of series. Out of them, a wonderful Porsche 935 “Moby Dick” was driven on track by Mahe, the French setting operator: who was, however, not very successful in race, where he was forced to a sad retire after having trouble with the adjustment of his car turbo pressure.

The practice sessions were really a spectacular event, with Luco (Porche 936), Thilloy (Lola T298) and Nicolet (March 74S) engaged to fight for Pole Position, which was finally gained by the Lola driver in 1:52:834. On the contrary, the race was yet easily envisaged concluding in the first twenty minutes, with Thilloy who was stopped by trouble to brakes and Nicolet forced to retire after a quite dull competition; the Ferrari 712 with Knapfield recovered from the back rows, also thanks to the Safety car that came twice onto the track, but all the same the check flag remained a chimera for Ferrari too. The Lola with Quiniou and the one with Cazalieres were respectively competing for the second place with a gap of only 934 thousandths of seconds after one hour’s race. At the and, we have to point out the fine struggle that saw the rivals, the BMW with the Mclnermys, then the winner of the category, and the Ferrari 512BB driven by an anonymous Mr John of B: the duel between the knights had been lasting for a good 11 laps, till the “Cavallino Rampante” car retire.

Next race will take place on 8-9 May on the legendary circuit of SPA.

Marco Zanello

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