Blancpain GT Sports Brands Hatch: Broniszewski bisse!

Broniszewski bisse à Brands Hatch en GT Sport

Michal Broniszewski made it two wins from as many Blancpain GT Sports Club races at Brands Hatch today thanks to another dominant performance in this afternoon’s Main Race. Meanwhile, Stephen Earle saw off Martin Lanting’s challenge to claim his first Iron Cup victory.

 

Broniszewski’s dominance ensured all eyes were once again on the fight for the remaining podium places. Vandierendonck picked up a position at the start and initially also looked like passing AF Corse’s Patrick Van Glabeke for second. However, it was not long before Ojjeh had recovered his composure after losing a spot at the start and reeled in the Corvette. And when the C6 ZR1 GTE ran wide at Paddock Hill Bend the BMW M6 GT3 was in prime position to take advantage.

For a while the three cars circulated together before Van Glabeke and Ojjeh edged clear together. But despite being never more than a second apart the latter was unable to mount a meaningful challenge for second.

With 14 minutes remaining a Full Course Yellow period gave Ojjeh the chance he had been waiting for. The Boutsen Ginion Racing driver reacted quicker than Van Glabeke when green flags signalled the end of an admittedly brief caution, gifting him a second place he would retain until the chequered flag.

An equally entertaining battle for fourth place developed further back when Vandierendonck fell into the clutches of championship leader Cordoni, who had charged through from 16th on the grid, and Alexis De Bernardi. The trio ran as one for a time before Vandierendonck was handed a drive-through penalty for overtaking under yellow flags.

De Bernardi, who had already been overtaken by Cordoni, then repaid the favour with a classy move down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend to seal fourth.

Coach McKansy’s Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 completed the top-six, one place clear of first-time Iron Cup winner Stephen Earle. The American’s path to victory was aided by Jan Brunstedt’s early race issues and Martin Lanting starting 19th after spinning into Qualifying Race retirement. The reigning class champion undoubtedly had the pace to win but ran wide into the Clearways gravel on his first attempt at passing Earle.

He recovered from also swiping the barrier to finish second in the Iron Cup and eighth overall, one place ahead of Vandierendonck who was demoted to ninth in the final classification after failing to serve his drive-through penalty.

Gilles Lallement completed the top-10, while Leon Price secured the final Iron Cup podium place with 11th.

Michal Broniszewski, Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 GT3: “I thought the guys were a lot closer in the Main Race, perhaps because my car was a little stiff for the conditions. I was pretty safe in the end, though. I have had fun racing in the Blancpain GT Sports Club this weekend, and maybe more than the Sprint Cup which is like a jungle! The 458 seemed better suited to the circuit than the 488, so I had a good time.

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