| Result:
1st,
104 laps, 3h 00min 57,541s. Best lap: 1:09.930 (130,245 kph) |
| Win at
the first try was the result for MV Racing in the SLC Endurance 3h
season premiere! After a race with many safety car periods, good teamwork
and an exciting sprint to the flag at the end of the race, we stood as
winners, and I had also set a new lap record for SLC Endurance. |
|
| The qualifying
session at Gelleråsen started on a damp and slowly drying track.
We split the one hour long session between all three drivers of MV Racing,
beginning with a short outing each. With 10 minutes to go, I went out on
the track with team orders to set a fast lap, and then hand the car over
to Håkan. I set a 1:10.24, but handn´t really gotten the temperature
up on the front tires, which made it both hard to brake the car, and getting
enough grip at the front of the car. Still the lap was good enough for
pole position with a margin of a second to the next team. With this I pitted
and Håkan got some more laps at the end of the session. |
 |
| 1:10.24
on an almost dry track. Photo J. Christensen. |
| Due to a team
punishment for an overtaking during yellow flags, our fastest lap was struck,
but Mårten had put at good lap in earlier, so we got to start from
from 4th place on the grid. It´s a shame to lose Pole Position like
that, but 4th place is also an ok starting position for a 3 hour race. |
|
| Mårten
took the start, and had no problems to keep the pace. We didn´t race
for long before the safety car had to come out on the track due to a car
a bit down the field which had a mechanical problem. We made a quick first
driver change, one of four mandatory pit stops. I drove a very short stint,
which was interrupted by drivers running of the track, needing the safety
car to slow down the field while the tow crew did their job. At one of
these safety car periods I switched to Håkan, who then had a pretty
clean stint all the way to our refuelling stop. |
 |
| The start:
Mr Race (BMW) on pole position, Levin Racing (Porsche) 2nd, Diners (Saab)
who "stole" 3rd starting place, which was empty due to a car missing the
line up, possibly with a mechanical problem. Us on 4th. Glorias colourful
Porsche and the Ravila Motorsport white/blue BMW V8 can also be seen. Photo
J. Christensen. |
|
 |
| Many offs
and breakdowns resulted in a lot of work for the track crew and of course
a lot of saftey car periods. Our MV Racing Porsche ran fault free. Photo
J. Christensen. |
|
| After the
refueling stop, Mårten drove a fast stint, and with 55 minutes to
go he timed a safety car period very well, came in to the pits and I took
over for the last stint. Joining the track at the end of the field the
team gave me information about our situation - full throttle until further
notice! |
 |
| The last
stint was driven with all stops pulled and with Levin Racing just behind
us. The pace resulted in me setting a new laprecord for SLC Endurance,
1:09,930. Photo J. Christensen. |
| Although a
lot of traffic, the pace was good and when Levin racing pitted for their
last mandatory pit stop / driver change we were in the lead. Levin Racing
was right behind us, so the end of the race became an exciting and fun
chase. We were stronger today though, and pulled away a coulpe of tenths
every lap. With 10 minutes to go, Levin Racing overtook a backmarker during
yellow flags, and got a Stop & Go which cost them a podium finish.
After that we could cruise to the flag, and win the race with a comfortable
lead of 59 seconds to Ravila Motorsport from the Special Production Class. |
|
 |
| The teamwork
and the teams preparations created the opportunity for Mårten, Håkan
and me to drive and win this race. It's a real team victory! Photo J. Christensen. |
|
 |
| Happy MV
Racing drivers; Mårten, Håkan and me. Photo J. Christensen. |
| Results: |
Class 4: MV
Racing (1st tot), Mr Race (3rd tot), Levin
Class 3: Ravila
Motorsport (2nd tot), Morin, X-Racing
Class 2: Skydda
Racing, Flatout Racing, Team Bidab
Class 1: MH
Motorsport, Swede Team Motor, X3M |
| The race will
be TV broadcasted on Viasat Sport wihtin a week, visit the Viasat Sport
website to find the specific programme schedule. |
|
| For the next
round, on May 8th, the SLC Endurance 3h Cup will visit the Scandinavian
Raceway, Anderstorp. This track is a good track for spectators, so do come
and cheer us on! Until then, we´ll be working on further improvement
of all areas of the team. |
|
| Finally I
wish to thank my sponsors; without you all there would be no races for
me. Many thanks! |
|
| The will
to prepare is as important as the will to win. |
Until next
time!
/Carl |
