Ferrari 430 Challenge – Paul Ricard [Trofeo Pirelli]

The home race from Ange Barde and Nicolas Misslin, the 2007 Coppa Shell champion Lloyd La Marca and championship contenders Bjorn Grossmann, Max Blandardi and Philipp Baron are the ingredients for a spectacular racing event.

Ange Barde ( 2 ) who won here last year the first race had to start from 7th place on grid.
A nearly mission impossible, but not for Ange.

On the pole its another French driver, Nicolas Misslin.

With holding the lead in the first part of the race Misslin ( 5 ) was forced to give up with gearbox problems.

Max Blancardi ( 3 ) took the lead and for a moment it looked like he should win the race. Ange Barde had different thoughts and in the final stages of the race he took the lead.

From left to right: Max Blancardi, Ange Barde and Bjorn Grossmann.

Race 2 and its Bjorn Grossmann on the pole position. After some bad luck in the previous races he is back in form.

Philipp Baron ( 9 ) had good hopes for a podium place at end of race 2.

Bjorn Grossmann ( 4 ) in the lead from start to finish.

Alexey Vasiliev ( 8 ) couldn’t continue after a collision in the early stages of the race.

Lloyd La Marca ( 77 ) found out there is a very strong competition in the Trofeo Pirelli. He finished 11th.

Philipp Baron’s thoughts became reality and he finished 3rd.

Bjorn Grossmann could use the victory and he is back in the race for the championship.

From left to right: Ange Barde, Bjorn Grossmann and Philipp Baron.

Ferrari 430 Challenge – Paul Ricard [Coppa Shell]

The Saturday morning qualifine sessions started with a huge moment for Oleg Barabash.
Just after the Mistral straight in ‘Signes’ he lost control, went off and made a sideway impact with the crash barrier. (I don’t know if it was a drivers error or mechanical problem)
The Paul Ricard crew did a fast job to give Oleg all the medical attation he needed and in an Official confirmation we heard that he broke his leg. (Van De Velde Photography wish Oleg a good and fast recovery)

Normaly its nice and sunny in the Cote d’Azur but this time it was cloudy. With a strong wind at end of the weekend days the F1 Clienti drivers had great difficaults to controle their cars.

Race 1 and the clouds packed together.

It was the French driver Jean-Marc Bachelier ( 129 ) on the pole with Jaimie Constable ( 127 ) making it an all front row for the Ferrari GB Dealer Team. Championship leader Michael Cantillon ( 128 ) had to start from 7th place.

During the race Bachelier kept his head cool but further down the field there were some hot battles.

For this event the La Marca family was back and aimed for success with Kessel Racing. Eric wanted to repeat the success from his older brother Lloyd in 2007. Well, he did and I think in the whole history of Ferrari Challenge nobody was happier at the end of the race than Eric.

Sad enough for Eric the joy didn’t took long because the stewards found something on the car and they disqualified Eric.

At 3/4 of the race Jaimie Constable had the ‘drive through penaly’ sign board which cost him a podium place.

As you can see not everybody was pleased with the move Jaimie made.

Jean-Marc Bachelier took the victory at the end of race 1. Second became Eric La Marca (later disqualified) and third place was for Wido Roessler. For the championship it should be: 1. Bachelier 2. Roessler 3. Cantillon.

Race winner Jean-Marc Bachelier.

Championship leader Michael Cantillon happy to take points to stay in the lead.

Day 2 and this time it was Plamen Kralev on the pole.

Compatriot Fons Scheltema had to start from 14th out of 27.

The start of race 2 with Kralev in the lead and he drove a race without mistakes.

Walter Forer ( 109 ) had more problems…

…and a few laps later Forer had to make a move to avoid a touch with Fons Scheltema who was under attack by Magnus Frodig from Sweden.

Hero of the day was Eric La Marca who started from 7th and again took 2nd place. This time there was nothing wrong with the car.

From left to right: Eric La Marca, Plamen Kralev and Michael Cantillon.