Archive für 3.9.2009
ALBERT COLL NO DEFRAUDÓ
3.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
CAMPEONATO DE ESPAÑA DE KARTING 2009
El piloto mallorquín, dejó un buen sabor de boca, y no defraudó, este pasado fin de semana en el Circuito Internacional de Alcalá del Río en Sevilla, durante la disputa de la única carrera puntuable para el Campeonato de España de karting 2009 en la categoria X-30.
En la extensa lista de inscritos (53), soprendia ver a pilotos de un alto nivel, que ya están compitiendo en fórmulas, ó incluso que ya disputan carreras a nivel internacional. Por vez primera el piloto mallorquín Albert Coll probaria suerte en este certamen.
Albert, no defraudó, consiguiendo su principal objetivo de clasificarse directamente para las finales del domingo, realizando clasificaciones espectaculares, colocandose 17º de entre los 53 pilotos que las disputaban.
Ya el domingo en el warm-up, Albert realizaba el 10º mejor tiempo, lo que demostraba que iba a por todas. En la prefinal Albert salía desde la posición 24, realizando una magistral remontada que lo colocaban en el 13º lugar, para disputar la gran final entre los mejores 34 pilotos de España.
El objetivo de Albert, estaba cumplido, y llenaba de ilusión a su equipo de mecánicos, cuando durante un buen rato de la final se colocaba en el 9º puesto, para que a sólo 4 vueltas de la culminación de la carrera, Albert era golpeado, sacandolo de la pista por otros dos pilotos que posteriormente fueron sancionados, pero que no le devolverian la posición que tenía en esos momentos.
Albert comentaba: “Lo difícil ya lo habia superado, pero ya se sabe – así son las carreras-.”
Bartolomé Coll 
It’s the transfer of the season: Sébastien Bourdais joins Superleague Formula!
3.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
Having won in almost every championship he’s entered and the owner of one of motorsport’s most impressive CVs, Sébastien Bourdais, after contesting 27 grand prix, is ready to accept a new challenge; Superleague Formula by Sonangol, the only series to marry the passion of football with the excitement of motor racing. The Frenchman will begin his campaign as early as this coming weekend in Estoril (Portugal) racing for Spanish club FC Sevilla.
Bourdais’ career has been a highly successful one. He remains the youngest-ever French F3 champion before also claiming the prestigious International F3000 crown in 2002. However, it is in the States where he earned his most coveted achievements, winning four consecutive Champ Car series titles for Hollywood legend Paul Newman and team partner Carl Haas. Although a single seater specialist, Bourdais has also shined in European and American sportscar racing, where he’s recorded several strong results.
Following a successful half-day’s testing at Magny-Cours last week with British outfit Ultimate, Bourdais, who was soon recording excellent lap times at the wheel of the 750bhp V12-powered Elan chassis, took the decision to contest the last three rounds of the 2009 Superleague Formula by Sonangol season. (5/6 September: Estoril; 3/4 October: Monza; 7/8 November: Jarama).
Superleague Formula by Sonangol is delighted to welcome a champion of Bourdais’ calibre which confirms the category’s position as a genuine alternative to Formula 1 for professional drivers. Indeed, the Frenchman will go up against fellow former F1 protagonists Giorgio Pantano (2008 GP2 Series Champion and ex-Jordan Grand Prix driver), Antonio Pizzonia and Enrique Bernoldi, not to mention the host of young talent eager to test itself against the best.
Alex Andreu (President of Superleague Formula):
“Superleague Formula is very happy and very proud to welcome a driver with as many titles as Sébastien Bourdais. His decision was made after testing our car at the Magny-Cours circuit, who I would like to thank for believing in our project and participating in its development. Our objective is to attract the best professional drivers to our series. Giorgio Pantano, Antonio Pizzonia and today Sébastien Bourdais are amongst these. We’re also hopeful that others will join us shortly. The more drivers we have of their calibre, the more Superleague Formula will carve its rightful place in the modern motorsport landscape, as well as offering a quality show to its fans.”
Interview with FC Sevilla’s Sébastien Bourdais:
“The best alternative to F1”
What motivated you to come and race in Superleague Formula?
“For a driver, Superleague Formula is the best alternative to F1. Today, it’s the only other championship in Europe to offer a driver the possibility of racing single seaters at a high, professional level. I am also a firm believer in the concept of merging motorsport and football. It’s a partnership that offers enormous potential and should have a good future. Once the championship is established and more widely known, I am sure that Superleague Formula will be very strong.”
What were your first impressions at the wheel of Superleague Formula’s Elan chassis, V12-powered single seater?
“The test at Magny-Cours made me realise just how fun the car is to drive. An F1 car is faster because it’s lighter. But the Elan V12 happens to be a very competitive car, benefiting from a lot of aerodynamic downforce and a very potent engine, drivable and powerful across the rev range, and offering a large scope of usage. It’s a consistent single seater that’s a pleasure to drive.”
What’s the target for your debut in Estoril?
“My desire is evidently to be competitive straight away at Estoril. Now, I only did a few laps in the car and the team is quite new to the championship. To win as soon as my first race will not be easy for sure. I also want to have fun, which hasn’t often been the case for me during this last year.”
How do you approach the race and qualifying formats which are specific to Superleague Formula?
“I will discover a qualifying system which is different to what I’ve been used to as it requires a very tactical approach. As far as the three races go, the totally reversed grid for the second reminds me of Formula Campus. This creates a lot of overtaking opportunities which improves the overall show on track, especially if the objective is to secure a place in the Super Final. To some degree though, Superleague Formula reminds me of racing in Champ Car.”
Are you a football fan?
“Without being an aficionado of football, I do often attend Le Mans fixtures – my home-town – as well as supporting the French national side during the important international tournaments.”
Sébastien Bourdais Profile
Born in Le Mans, 27 February 1979
Married to Claire, one daughter (Emma)
1997: French Formula Renault runner-up
1999: French F3 Champion
2002: F3000 International champion. F1 tests with Arrows and Renault. DTM tests with Opel. 1st at the Spa 24 Hours.
2003: Best rookie in Champ Car
2004/2005/2006/2007: 4 Champ Car titles. 1 win in IROC (2005). 1st in GT2 at the 12 Hours of Sebring (2006).
2008: F1 Toro Rosso (4 points) 2009: F1 Toro Rosso (2 points). 2nd at the Le Mans 24 Hours and 12 Hours of Sebring.
www.superleagueformula.com
Formula Two set for Germany debut this weekend
3.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
F2 arrives in Oschersleben for rounds 11 & 12 (4/5/6 September)
Andy Soucek will be looking to increase his lead in the overall standings as the FIA Formula Two Championship arrives in Germany for rounds 11 and 12 this weekend (4/5/6 September).
The Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will play host to the event as F2 reaches a critical stage in the 2009 campaign. Soucek extended his championship advantage at Donington Park last time out as the Spaniard took his third victory of the season, whilst his main title rival Robert Wickens failed to score points in either race during a frustrating weekend. Whilst the Canadian was able to maintain second place in the standings, he will be keen to get his championship challenge back on track in Germany. Wickens has raced in various categories below F2 this season to gain as much race experience as possible to bolster his championship challenge, and the 20-year-old enjoyed success at a round of the Formula Atlantic Championship last weekend, scoring a strong fourth place finish at Mosport in his homeland.
Julien Jousse took a superb maiden F2 victory at Donington to fire himself back into title contention and the Frenchman is just two points behind Wickens in third place, with German racer Tobias Hegewald narrowly behind in fourth. Having won both races at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps in June, Hegewald will be searching for his third victory of the season as he races in front of his home fans for the first time.
The Red Bull Junior Team duo of Mikhail Aleshin and Mirko Bortolotti, who was recently linked to Luca Badoer’s seat at Ferrari, currently lie fifth and sixth respectively in the championship order, whilst Austrian Philipp Eng is tied with Bortolotti on 31 points. Eng dropped four places in the table during the last round in England, illustrating the importance of consistent scoring at every event in Formula Two.
Incredibly, just eight points separate second to seventh in the championship standings. Six drivers have scored victories in the opening ten rounds this season - the podium has seen twelve different visitors and a staggering 20 drivers have already scored championship points.
It will be a vital weekend for many F2 drivers in Oschersleben, not least for local driver Jens Höing - the Berlin-born racer will be searching for his first points finish of the season at his home circuit. 22-year-old Ollie Hancock will make his F2 debut this weekend after signing up to contest the final six races of 2009, and the young Briton enjoyed a successful maiden run in an F2 car at Bedford Autodrome last week.
Located in Oschersleben, Börde, the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben is a relatively new racetrack having only opened in July 1997. Germany’s third permanent circuit after the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring, Oschersleben hosts rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, DTM and FIA GT Championships. F2 will partner the WTCC this weekend and both races will be screened live on Eurosport.
www.formulatwo.com
DON GRANDES, ANDRES VILARIÑO Y LUÍS MARTÍNEZ, TAMBIÉN ESTARÁN PRESENTES EN EL PUIGMAJOR
3.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
Sóller, (Illes Balears) miércoles 02 de septiembre de 2009.
Si hace unas semanas dábamos cuenta de la participación de Xavi Riera y Gerard de la Casa en la 30ª Pujada al Puigmajor, ahora debemos sumar dos participaciones estelares. Se trata del piloto vasco Andrés Vilariño y el navarro Luis Martínez, dos pilotos que se proclamaron campeones de España de montaña en varias ocasiones y que no quieren perderse el homenaje que se rendirá a Juan Fernández al concluir la sesión de entrenamientos del sábado día 19 de septiembre.
Luis Martínez se desplazará a Mallorca para estar presente en el homenaje, mientras que su hijo Íñigo Martínez competirá a los mandos de su Silver Car S2. En la actualidad Íñigo ocupa la segunda posición de la clasificación provisional del campeonato de España de CM, justo por detrás del mallorquín Pedro Roca. En cuanto a su padre, Luis, decir que se proclamó campeón de España absoluto en las temporadas 89’, 90’, 91’, y 92’, siendo tercero en los años 94’, 96’, y 97’ con un total de 200 victorias absolutas. Tras sufrir un grave accidente se vio obligado a abandonar la competición.
Por su parte Andrés Vilariño también posee un currículum envidiable consiguiendo los campeonatos de España de Montaña, a los mandos de su Osella PA 20, en las temporadas 84’, 98’,99’, y los campeonatos de Europa en las temporadas 90’, 91’, y 92’ además de conseguir varios subcampeonatos y ser cuarto en las 24 Horas de Le Mans GT2 en 1994. Esta temporada junto a su hijo Ander están disputando el Campeonato Europeo de Resistencia, donde ocupan el segundo lugar de la clasificación. Andrés Vilariño posee un equipo propio de competición en el que también están sus hijos Ander y Ángela que han conseguido excelentes resultados en distintas especialidades a los mandos de sus respectivos monoplazas.
A fecha de hoy no podemos decir a ciencia cierta con que coche acudirán al Puigmajor, puesto que tanto el monoplaza del europeo, como el Subaru WRC del equipo, están comprometidos para la fecha de la subida, y Andrés Vilariño está buscando un vehículo de primera línea con el que acudir a la cita de Sóller.
Miguel Ferrer
tn. 619.674.644
www.ferbispress.com
