After the summer break the team SPS automotive performance got down to business again: the fifth round of the International GT Open season 2018 in Silverstone was on agenda!
The cockpit of the SPS Mercedes-AMG GT3 is occupied by the successful driver duo Tom Onslow-Cole and Valentin Pierburg. With a perfect test session on the day before the team was highly motivated for the qualifying 1 and race 1 on Saturday. In qualifying 1, Valentin Pierburg was able to secure the 8th starting position in the PROAM class. So, he also took over the first stint at the beginning of the race. The race was promising at first: Valentin Pierburg made up two places right at the start but was then touched by a Ferrari on the back left – the resulting puncture with additional pit stop unfortunately threw the SPS Mercedes-AMG GT3 back to the end of the field. A very unfortunate situation because a much better position could have been the result, especially as the speed of the start number 20 was great – at least the fastest lap of the race was achieved by the team SPS – but unfortunately it was only enough for 11th in the class and 20th in the overall classification.
Accordingly, the whole team was highly motivated for Sunday’s qualifying session for the second race: Tom Onslow-Cole finally achieved pole position in his home race! A perfect starting position for the second race. Onslow-Cole also showed this strong performance in the race itself as he moved away after the start and gained a strong 10-second advantage. In addition he drove the fastest lap in the field! After the driver change Valentin Pierburg took over the car and also showed an excellent performance by keeping the lead stable until the end! A perfect start-finish victory and the first victory in the overall classification this season for the team SPS automotive performance with Team Manager Stephan Sohn! Accordingly, this success was celebrated at the award ceremony on the podium!
At the same time this was the 5th race victory in the ProAm this year, now crowned by the overall victory in the Sunday race at Silverstone.
In the championship standings the SPS automotive performance Mercedes AMG GT3 is now in second place, only 4 points behind the Lamborghini Duo Ramos / Crestani.
Team Manager Stephan Sohn:
“In the first race the fastest lap already indicated what is to expected from us here at Silverstone. Unfortunately we could not reach the desired place due to the contact with another vehicle. Of course the joy of winning the second race after this was even greater! An outstanding performance showed by our drivers and the whole team! Thanks to the entire team for this great race weekend! From 22.-23.09. starts the next round in Monza. Of course we hope to be able to build on the perfect performance from the last race weekend and would be happy to receive support from fans and spectators!”