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Rapport 2003 / 07 Spa


Ardennes Highlights

 

 

 

Claus Bjerglund stood in the paddocks of Spa-Francorchamps and looked with satisfaction in the direction of “Eau Rouge”. Although he had to retire early due to a gearbox damage of his De Tomaso in its first race in the FIA-GTC-TC’76, there was smile on the Dane’s face. On this day, the fanfare of success sounded out of both exhaust pipes of a Ford V8, which also works Berglund’s De Tomaso.

 

 

 

The Dane was pleased for his countryman, Claus Damgaard over his overall victory in the FIA-GTC-TC’76 on the Formel 1 Course of Spa. Damgaard celebrated his first success this season with his 500 horsepower-strong De Tomaso which was built by Dan Svensson. “We could not reckon with this success – not in our first season”, said a delighted Damgaard who had also marked the fastest time in the Qualifying. “It would have been easier of course to assemble and run a Porsche for the new Series. “But we prefered the Pantera.”

 

 

 

In the meanwhile, Damgaard’s team colleague, Henrik Lindberg (DK) was less lucky. He had still not calmed down in the drivers’ paddock. “Whilst overtaking, a Mini Cooper changed lanes often and forced me from the course near Blanchimont” said an annoyed Lindberg. “Unfortunately I could not discern who it was.”

 

 

 

Behind Damgaard, Dr. Armin Zumtobel (A) in a Porsche 906 showed a strong performance. The Austrian Porsche-specialist secured the second place in the overall ratings with his sports car. The Mayrhofener said, “One’s car must really fight here in Spa.” In the end he banished Wolfgang Schachinger (A), who leads in the Touring Cars category of the FIA-GTC-TC’76 with his BMW 3,0 CSL, to the third position. Schachinger fought a thrilling fight with Dieter Tögel (D), who drove a stunning Schnitzer-BMW 3,0 CSL (ex-Quester/Krebs) in the finals, and after 30 minutes kept his nose in front by 4,4 seconds. The third-fastest Touring Car pilot was Dr. Helmut Stein (D) in a Wooding-Ford Escort RS.

 

 

 

Only then did Nürburgring-winner Ingo Zeitz (D) cross the finishing line. With his Derkum-Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0, he fought with Schachinger for the third position but he fell behind. The Kent-Ford Capri RS 2600 (ex-Engeman/Mass) of Douglas Titford (GB) celebrated its premiere in the FIA-GTC-TC’76. In comparison Carlos Santos (P) faced bad luck. He had to retire with his Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3,0 shortly after the Start.

 

 

 

“The FIA-GTC-TC’76 is developing very well,” commented FIA Series-Coordinator Ronny G. Bredhauer. I reckon with a full starter field for next year!”

 

 

 

The finals are due soon on 10th. October 2004 in Estoril (P).

 

 


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